Committee looking into tightening legislation on animal welfare

SINGAPORE: Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said the Government Parliamentary Committee on National Development is looking into the issue of tightening legislation in the area of animal welfare.

He was speaking to the media at a Lunar New Year hong bao presentation in his Chong Pang division.

Mr Shanmugam said there is a need to encourage greater responsibility in pet ownership and how the sale of pets is regulated.

He added that awareness is increasing and he would personally like to see some legislation in this area.

He said the recent national conversation which touched on animal welfare was a further helpful step to broaden awareness.

In December last year, the Chong Pang division was hit by an incident of animal cruelty where two kittens were found dismembered outside a HDB flat in the constituency.

Mr Shanmugam described the case "cruel" and "abominable".

— CNA/ck