Details of the Animal Cruelty Case in Singapore
Background
Authorities in Singapore discovered a distressing case of animal neglect involving Muhammad Danial Sukirman, a 31-year-old man who was sentenced to 20 days in jail for neglecting 43 cats in a vacant flat. The cats were deprived of food, water, and attention between August and November 2021.
Legal Proceedings
- Sukirman pleaded guilty to 10 charges of causing “unnecessary pain and suffering” to the felines.
- An additional 34 charges under the Animal and Birds Act were considered for sentencing.
- One charge was related to his failure to comply with a written notice from the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) officer.
Prosecution Details
The case marked the largest animal cruelty prosecution in terms of pet numbers by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) to date. Prosecutors Ron Goh and Farisha Asharaff highlighted the severity of the neglect.
Case Details
Court documents revealed that Sukirman admitted to rarely feeding the cats and neglecting their welfare, leading to the unprecedented jail sentence under Section 42(1)(d) of the Act.
Living Conditions
The cats were found in a small, confined space without sufficient food and water, living in unsanitary conditions surrounded by faecal material, decomposing carcasses, and skeletal remains of other cats.
Discovery of the Cats
Authorities found more than 30 cats and skeletal remains in the apartment after receiving public feedback about a foul smell emanating from Sukirman’s flat. NParks officers, along with a Housing and Development Board (HDB) officer, conducted a joint inspection following the complaints.
Background of the Offender
Sukirman mentioned that he and his wife initially had three cats that bred uncontrollably due to lack of sterilization. The cats were fed dry kibble once a week and were living in severely poor conditions.
