Animal welfare groups seek improvements
In April this year, a group of rescuers banded together to buy 85 breeding dogs from a puppy mill in Pasir Ris Farmway to save them from a life of misery. In doing so, they exposed the poor conditions at the mill. Many of the dogs were sick and in generally poor condition. Tick fever, anaemia, heartworm and skin problems were common. Another case of poor conditions in a puppy mill in Seletar Farmway surfaced in July. Investigations revealed that puppies were being kept in rusty cages with improper flooring, algae was seen in a water bowl and some dogs had inadequate shelter. These two cases are now under investigation by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

In July, registered animal welfare groups Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), Cat Welfare Society (CWS) and House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS) met up with AVA officials to present a joint proposal for improving the standards and conditions for dog breeding facilities in Singapore. A press release was later issued by the groups (and supported by Noah’s Ark Cares and Animal Lovers’ League).

Dogs neglected, sick and kept under appalling conditions.
In the first case of its kind, it was reported in July 2010 that a pet farm operator was sentenced to a $30,000 fine for animal cruelty offences committed in August 2009. A six-week jail sentence was imposed because he could not pay the fine. Six dogs were found by the authorities to have been tick-infested, emaciated and malnourished. Following a report (with photographic evidence) of the conditions received on 28 July 2009, the SPCA referred the case to AVA on 29 July and wrote to the authorities recommending that the person in charge of the animals be prosecuted for cruelty on the grounds that the conditions under which the dogs were kept were appalling and some of the dogs appeared to be severely emaciated. We also recommended that breeders who have no regard for animal welfare should be banned from operating. As the breeder had run into financial problems, the dogs were given away to other breeders and animal volunteer groups.

Reprinted from SPCA Bulletin October 2009 issue

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you witness poor conditions on a pet farm or pet shop, please call the SPCA at 62857355 or call the AVA at 6471 9996. We need you to be the voices for the animals. Only when more people speak up can standards improve.

Cruelty to animals is a crime
In Singapore, cruelty to animals is a crime. Under the Animals and Birds Act, anyone who is found guilty of such an offence including abandonment of any animal, can be imprisoned for up to 12 months, fined up to $10,000, or both

From December 2008 to July 2009, the SPCA received eight complaints against one pet farm at Pasir Ris Farmway. All complaints were similar in nature although reported by different sources - puppies sold at the farm were cramped in cages (up to six per cage); the ventilation was allegedly poor and the living conditions dirty. The case was referred to AVA to investigate.

On our part, we made an unannounced visit to the farm on 5 July. Upon entry, there was a strong stench of faeces and urine which could also indicate poor ventilation. Puppies of various breeds were kept in cages. Three tiers of cages were stacked on top of each other. We observed the following:
1. There was general overcrowding of the display cages. Puppies were kept in small cages, regardless of breed, from two to five per cage. In one cage for example, there were four Golden Retriever puppies (estimated size was 3ft x 2ft and puppies were about three months old).
2. All cages had wire flooring and no proper base for the puppies to rest on.
3. Faeces and urine were not promptly cleared.

It is not known where the puppies are kept after hours or whether they are given sufficient exercise.

In an email correspondence dated 23 April, the AVA mentioned that it would ensure that pet farms comply with its conditions for dog breeding and boarding.

On 13 July, we emailed the AVA regarding the conditions in which the puppies were kept whilst stating in detail the conditions that were contravened. In concluding their investigation of the case, AVA said they had taken action against the farm licensee and advised him on good farm management practices. They compounded the operator for keeping dogs in overcrowded conditions.