AVA mulls stiffer action to stop animal abuse

SINGAPORE: Be a responsible pet—owner, not only to your pets, but to your neighbours as well.

That was the message behind a pet care roadshow, organised by the Agri—Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

Sales were aplenty but it was the animals which took centrestage at Causeway Point Shopping Centre.

Besides getting close to the animals, shoppers also learnt more about proper pet care through exhibits and talks.

With pet abuse cases on the rise in Singapore, the AVA’s Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee has received feedback on ways to get tougher.

These include fines and jail as well as community service with an animal welfare group.

An e—consultation platform for the public to give suggestions for better animal welfare will be set up next month.

The committee will also recommend an accreditation scheme for pet businesses.

Chairman of Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, Yeok Guat Kwang, said: "We have to make sure that the industry players really do their part by coming up with accreditation schemes to ensure that industry player will do the right thing.

"At the same time, they have the duty and responsibility to educate the buyers. Before they buy, they must make sure that they understand what are they getting and what kind of care and love they must give to the pets that they purchase."

— CNA/ck