Singapore

Singapore comprises a mere 728 square kilometres landmass and population of 5.6 million people. Located in Southeast Asia at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, its geographically advantageous position has aided in enhancing economic growth and securing itself as a world trade centre. Singapore has adopted a parliamentary system of government based on the Westminster model where the legal system is common law. This week's guest writer, Isabelle Bloomstein, will explore legislation pertaining to animal welfare on the small island city- state.

Companion Animals 

The companion animal population of Singapore is on the incline, with a dog population of 114,000 in 2023, a 3% rise from 2019. In 2023, reports of animal cruelty rose by an alarming 79%, reaching an eleven year high with the majority of those comprising welfare and neglect cases linked to unsatisfactory living conditions. The increase is most likely due to a shift in mindset where people are more inclined to report instances of animal cruelty on social media, as opposed to an actual increase in the cases of animal cruelty.

Legislation protecting the welfare of companion animals can be found under the Animal and Birds Act 1965 (as amended in 2014). 

Section 41C establishes a positive duty of care; any owner, person in charge of an animal (whether temporary or permanent)must care for animals in accordance with the Codes of Animal Welfare issued by the Animals and Veterinary Service (AVS). The standard of care required include the following: 

• the animal is provided with adequate and suitable food and water, taking into account its dietary needs;

• the animal is provided with adequate shelter;

• the animal is not kept in confinement, conveyed, lifted, carried or handled in a manner or position that subjects the animal to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering; and

• the animal is protected from, and rapidly diagnosed with, any significant injury or disease.

Section 42 of the Animal and Birds Act 1965 creates an offence  of animal cruelty in instances where any person: 

• Physically beats, tortures, hurts or abets in hurting an animal.

• Terrifies or infuriates an animal.

• Causes unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal or, as the owner, allows the animal under their care to suffer. 

• Forces an animal to work when it is sick or otherwise unfit to do so. 

• Uses the animals in any capacity related to animal fighting activities. 

Wild Animals 

Despite its modest land mass and dense population, the city- state is one of the greenest cities in the world. Thanks to government initiatives incorporating nature into the urban landscape and a focus on preserving natural reserves, Singapore leads the way as 1st in the Green Cities Index in Asia. That being said, biodiversity has suffered at the expense of rapid urbanisation with a total of 37% of native flora and fauna having vanished. 

The Wildlife Act (1965), which covers  any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish or invertebrate, whether of a wild nature or otherwise, is said to be an act for the protection, preservation and management of wildlife for the purposes of maintaining a healthy ecosystem and safeguarding public safety and health, and for related matters.

Under Section 5A-C, a person may not intentionally feed, release, kill, trap or keep any wildlife without first obtaining written permission to do so. However, in circumstances involving damage to property, Section 6 declares it not unlawful for the occupier to trap, kill or take wildlife that was found to be damaging property or crops on the land. The onus of proof lies on the person alleging the fact to prove that the wildlife did in fact cause damage. 

Section 8 provides that a person may not offer for sale, sell or export (dead or alive) any wildlife without permission from the Director- General. 

Under Section 9, a person may not import any living wildlife into Singapore without approval. 

Farm Animals

As for the welfare of farm animals, legislation is limited owing to the fact that land- scarce Singapore is almost entirely dependent on import for its meat requirements, the majority of which is sourced from Brazil, Australia and the United States, who are the main suppliers of Singapore’s frozen beef and pork . Regulation of imported meat is governed by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), a statutory board that sets out standards for food related matters within the country. 

Singapore does import live pigs from Malaysia currently and previously Indonesia before an outbreak of African Swine Flu caused the cessation of shipments. These live pigs are processed at the only abattoir in the country. 

Laws governing the welfare of animals intended for slaughter are mandated by the SFA under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act 1999.Under Section 42 of that Act, the Minister may make rules, which has happened in the form of the Wholesome Meat and Fish (Slaughter- Houses) Rules. These rules relate to any animal intended for slaughter for meat products; they decree that all animals must be allowed sufficient rest and water before slaughter. 

Specific conditions for different species have also been created, which include the following: 

• The Conditions of Licensing for Pig Slaughter Houses, which under Section 1.20, states that the method of slaughter shall be as humane as possible and approved by the Veterinary Authority. And under Section 6.3, approved stunning systems should be adopted. 

• The Conditions of Licensing for Poultry Slaughter Houses, which stated that the method of sIaughter shaII be as humane as possibIe and approved by the SFA. It also dictates the chickens be stunned first with the appropriate voltage for their size before being slaughtered. 

Animals involved in traffic accidents 

The government has enacted regulations in relation to animals harmed by vehicles by way of amendments to Section 84 2A of the Road Traffic Act. The act now imposes an obligation on drivers to stop and seek help, but only where there is a reasonable belief the animals have an owner or where the animal poses a threat to other road users. 

Conclusion 

In line with increased growing sentiment for animals, legislation penalties for animal cruelty in Singapore have risen substantially in the last two decades. 

In practice, the laws in place are only effective to the extent that they are enforced. In the period from 2019-2023, 1250 cases of alleged animal cruelty were reported. Of those, during 2019-2022 only 60 cases were found to be animal cruelty with enforcement action taken.

While this is progress in the right direction, there is still much that needs to change. 

Getting Advice

This blog post is not legal advice. For more information on the services Advocates for Animals offers please contact info@advocates-for-animals.com