Animal abuse cases in Singapore have reached a disturbing 12-year high. What drives people to hurt animals, and what can we do about it?
Since olden times, animals have held a special place in human society. Just think back to the obsession ancient Egyptians had with the feline figure. Or how canids became hunting companions of early humans and, after thousands of years of evolution and domestication, won the title of “man’s best friend”.
Or how a bunny became a religious holiday mascot.
While their presence in the modern world is slightly less grand than it used to be, we 21st century homo sapiens still haven’t quite gotten over our obsession with them – if the endless social media reels on some cat doing a wacky backflip or some dog playing tug of war with a chew toy have anything to say about it.
More Than Just Entertainment
But animals aren’t just a source of entertainment. For an insurmountable number of us, they have the power to provide us with comfort and companionship, two very important contributors to the security of our sanity. For others, they go as far as to offer therapeutic and physical assistance, such as helping the visually impaired navigate their surroundings, or giving those with mental health disorders more meaning and purpose.
Animals have long been the target of our love and friendship.
Unfortunately, they have also been undeserving victims of our anger and cruelty.
The Rise of Hate Crimes – Against Animals
Animal abuse has been particularly rampant in Singapore these recent years. According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the frequency of animal mistreatment was at a 12-year high in 2024.
Around 30 percent of the 961 confirmed cases involved abuse.
That’s a pretty big word to be directed at creatures typically much smaller than us.
Considering that it’s used in the context of intentional acts to bring about pain and suffering, it’s a pretty unsettling word too – and it has mental health experts on high alert.
“We should be very concerned, especially when the acts go beyond mere neglect or impulsive aggression and take on a calculated, brutal nature,” said Dr Lim Boon Leng, a Psychiatrist from Dr BL Lim Centre for Psychological Wellness, in The Straits Times.
From torture to murder, reports of animals falling to sadistic human deeds appear all too often in the news. Just in May alone, animal lovers have been forced to say an agonising farewell to multiple community cats, including Yishun’s King Kong, whose gruesome mutilation had sent shockwaves.
The savagery behind this act had prompted Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam to voice out a question many of us are dwelling over: “What kind of person will do this?”
Why Do Humans Hurt Animals?
Animals can make such easy prey because they are seen as helpless in their inability to expose their attackers.
Regardless, most people don’t harm animals for the sake of it.
Misguided Fear or Ignorance?
Consider the case of an HDB resident hanging a bird outside her flat to prevent it from flying in again, or the one of a man hitting a python out of fear before ultimately beheading it, supposedly to end its pain.
These exemplify a naivety or lack of awareness regarding animal behaviour and care – and, perhaps, a bit of human arrogance in the choice made to deal with the wild creatures themselves, rather than calling in a professional.
When Cruelty Runs Deeper
But there is greater cause for alarm when the act is more purposefully and inherently insidious.
“The sheer level of cruelty inflicted – mutilation, repeated injuries or killing with intent – often correlates with deeper psychological disturbance,” highlighted Dr Lim.
“Such behaviour isn’t just anti-social; it may reflect entrenched callousness, sadism or a lack of empathy so profound that it borders on psychopathy.”
There’s a reason parents whose children have exhibited signs of animal cruelty are urged to assess the situation and intervene when necessary. The connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence is well-documented. A severe aggression towards animals at a young age can be escalated to dangerous behaviours enacted on peers and family as they age.
Such acts can start out being driven by factors including past trauma, peer pressure, or even pure curiosity (especially in the case of toddlers still learning about the world).
An abuse of animals could also be a manifestation of psychiatric conditions, where the acts can occur due to poor impulsivity or emotional regulation.
However, not everything can be blamed on mental health.
As explained by Dr Lim: “In some cases, it may simply reflect deeply ingrained personality traits – such as callousness, moral disengagement or a desire for control.
“In other words, cruelty does not always equal illness. Some people may be fully aware of the harm they are inflicting and they do it out of rage, revenge or sheer enjoyment – not because of a mental disorder, but because of who they are and what they value.”
Standing Up Against Animal Abuse
In some ways, animal cruelty is a societal issue that needs to be addressed with greater humane education and stricter legal controls.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a part to play in alleviating the issue.
So if you notice an animal is being abused, take action to protect it.
You can reach out to National Parks Board at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback, or call the Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
You can also report a case by dialling SPCA’s 24-hour hotline at 6287 5355 (extension 9), or online via https://spca.org.sg/services/cruelty-welfare-investigations/ or inspector@spca.org.sg.
Include as many details as you can in your report, like time, location and other contextual information. Be sure to append clear photos and videos as well.
And as you’re waiting for help to arrive, watch over the animal, and try to secure them if possible.
If you realise someone you know is hurting animals, open up a dialogue with them.
“It is vital to approach the individual with compassion, seeking to understand the motivation rather than reacting with anger,” stressed Dr Lim.
Remember, we’ve shared this planet with animals for eons. What’s wrong with showing a little more human empathy for our fluffy and scaly brethren?
External References
- Ang, P. (2019, December 11). Mynah hung from laundry pole stand outside Yishun flat; NParks investigating. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mynah-hung-from-laundry-pole-stand-outside-yishun-flat-nparks-investigating
- Chan, E. (2025, January 7). Animal cruelty and welfare cases in Singapore hit 12-year high: SPCA. CNA. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/animal-abuse-cruelty-poor-welfare-neglect-cases-hit-12-year-high-2024-spca-4842916
- Cheng, I. (2025, May 17). Why we should be concerned when animals are abused. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/why-we-should-be-concerned-when-animals-are-abused
- Johnston, J. (2011, August 27). Children Who Are Cruel to Animals: When to Worry. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-equation/201104/children-who-are-cruel-to-animals-when-to-worry
- Koh, W. T. (2023, May 6). IN FOCUS: Why are people cruel to pets and wildlife? CNA. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/animal-abuse-pets-wildlife-singapore-investigations-cat-dog-snakes-cruel-3467256
- Mota-Rojas, D., Monsalve, S., Lezama-García, K., Mora-Medina, P., Domínguez-Oliva, A., Ramírez-Necoechea, R., & Garcia, R. C. M. (2022). Animal Abuse as an Indicator of Domestic Violence: One Health, One Welfare Approach. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 12(8), 977. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9024712/
- Sim, S. (2024, November 11). ‘Snake looked like it was in a lot of pain’, says man fined $1,000 for hacking python to death. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/it-looked-pitiful-says-man-fined-1000-for-hacking-python-to-death-with-cleaver-in-viral-video
- Yasmine, R., & Wong, C. (2025, May 10). ‘What kind of person will do this?’: Shanmugam condemns abuse, killing of Yishun community cat. The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/what-kind-of-person-will-do-this-shanmugam-condemns-abuse-killing-of-yishun-community-cat
- Zalizan, T., & Saw, Y. Y. (2025, May 23). CCTVs, knocking on doors: What else will it take to nab community cat abusers? CNA. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/ground-up/cat-severe-abuse-community-feeders-5148961
