AVS urged to probe alleged killings and abuse of dogs in Woodlands forested area
SINGAPORE — An animal welfare group on Monday (28 December) night said it alerted authorities to the discovery of animal carcasses in Woodlands as early as March, hours after a news report about its allegations was published.
In a post on its Facebook page, non-profit organisation Exclusively Mongrels said it had been conducting Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) activities at its site at Attap Valley Road before the pandemic.
“As early as end of 2019, we were informed by the feeders we work with on several occasions, of suspicious activities linked to a man who frequented that area. There had been several cases of missing dogs, and the incidence of injured dogs had also increased significantly,” the organisation wrote.
Some feeders had ventured into the forested area where the man was seen entering and discovered bags of what seemed to be decomposing carcasses hanging on tree branches, it added.
An email was later sent to the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) in March.
Screenshots of the email, dated 7 March and signed off by Gan Theng Wei, Director of Exclusively Mongrels, were posted along with the Facebook write-up. The man drove a lorry and was often hostile when approached by the feeders, Gan wrote.
“A camera was even installed by one of the feeders, but was discovered by the man. I have to stress that there is no way to tell that the carcasses were that of dogs without further tests. While the recent disappearance of dogs may be due to migration, we cannot exclude the possibility of foul play,” added Gan.
Exclusively Mongrels said it did not receive an official reply to the email, but added that an AVS representative had “informed us that they were aware of the suspicious events that had taken place, and the authority would be investigating” during a meeting at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
No further updates were provided to Exclusively Mongrels, until the news report was published on Monday, it said. Yahoo News Singapore has reached out to the AVS for comment.
“We sincerely hope that the authorities will do their best in their investigation, to uphold the welfare of the Singapore Specials. And of course, we look forward to the findings of their investigation if they would be willing to share,” Exclusively Mongrels added.
“No dogs and animals shall be mistreated, stray, or not. Anyone found to have mistreated or killed animals for pleasure must be severely dealt with to the full extent of the law.”
Any person found guilty of animal cruelty faces a fine of up to $15,000, and/or a maximum jail term of 18 months. Subsequent offenders face a fine of up to $30,000 and/or a maximum jail term of three years.
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