Written answer by Ministry of National Development on number and type of court orders on persons convicted of cruelty and abuse under Animals and Birds Act 1965

Oct 15, 2024

Question No: 6158

Question by: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

To ask the Minister for National Development in each year for the past five years (a) how many animal cruelty and abuse cases involve the court making an order for the convicted person to pay the costs and expenses for the maintenance and treatment of the animal under the Animals and Birds Act 1965; and (b) what are the average and median amounts ordered in each case.

Answer:

NParks is committed to safeguarding animal welfare. Injured or sick animals involved in investigations for animal cruelty and welfare offences are promptly assessed by veterinarians and sent for necessary treatment.

Under section 44(1)(a) of the Animals and Birds Act (“ABA”), the Court may order an injured or sick animal to be taken to a veterinary centre or other specific places to be treated upon conviction of the offender. Further to the court order under section 44(1)(a), a person is liable under section 44(2) to pay for the animal’s maintenance and treatment until it is fit for release. As there is usually a time lapse between the start of investigation and conviction of the offender, no court order has been made under sections 44(1)(a) and 44(2) of the ABA over the past five years. NParks bears the costs and expenses involved in the treatment of injured or sick animals seized during investigations. 

NParks will continue to explore means of recovering costs from offenders.