The Malamute Case
On 25 August 2005, Mr. Lim Bee Leong was fined $3,000 for causing the death of his 3-year old Alaskan malamute. In January 2005, the dog was left without water and shelter in his backyard and died of heatstroke. The SPCA had received previous complaints about the owner. In December 2003, the SPCA received calls about a malamute tied up with insufficient shelter from the sun and a golden retriever shut up in the house with no one there. Over two days, SPCA's inspector made 3 visits to investigate, and although the malamute could be seen tied up outside, no one was home each time. SPCA was eventually able to trace the owner and our inspector informed him that the conditions were not suitable for his malamute and advised him on what was required for Singapore's hot climate. The owner agreed to heed the advice. A couple of days later, our inspector met with the owner and found that the malamute was no longer tied up and had access to the house. The golden retriever had been re-homed. The original callers said they would keep a lookout and inform SPCA if they had any concerns.
In July 2004, a complaint was received that the Malamute was locked up in the house for three days with no one attending. However when we arrived, we discovered that the owner had actually been working at home, and the dog was in good physical condition. The complainant was asked inform SPCA if the situation changed. In January 2005, a neighbour contacted the SPCA when they noticed the Malamute dead in the backyard. The SPCA inspector found the dog lying amid faeces and without water or shelter. The SPCA informed the police and eventually the case went to court in August this year.
If you come across animal abuse or neglect, call SPCA at 6287 5355 ext 9. All calls are kept confidential. The SPCA will investigate any report of alleged cruelty although it does not have enforcement powers. If necessary, the case will be referred to the relevant authorities for further action. If you witness an act of extreme abuse, you should inform the SPCA, make a police report and be prepared to testify in court. Without witness testimony, no action can be taken. In Singapore, cruelty to animals and abandonment of any animal is a crime. Anyone found guilty of such an offense can be jailed for up to a year and/or fined up to $10,000.
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I got so pissed off after reading this... OMG! $3000?! is it too little? should include caning also... its a life k! if u murder someone, will kana sentence to death lor... and i dun see caning as a very serve punishment~! so sad leh... wanna cry... my tears are for the cruelty of human beings... for wat u brought him in and make him die? miserable human... i hate hate hate it to the core!!! and pls! use ur common sense, alaskan is a snow dog... sg is already so hot liao summer throughout the yr and yet he left this snow dog, born wif thick fur to be under the hot sun without shelter! dun say dog... even u tie a human being in a open air small area, he will die in no time~!!! these kind of ppl deserve to be in hell!!!!
