Singapore jails man for leaving 43 cats without food, water at faeces-strewn flat

Muhammad Danial Sukirman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 10 charges of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal as a pet owner.

Taken into consideration for sentencing were another 34 charges under the Animal and Birds Act relating to 33 other cats and one charge of failing to comply with a written notice requiring his attendance before an officer from the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).

Danial had caused “unnecessary pain and suffering” to the 43 cats by failing to provide adequate food and water and leaving them unattended between August and November 2021 in a flat in Ang Mo Kio, court documents stated.

NParks’ prosecutors Ron Goh and Farisha Asharaff informed the court that the case involved the largest number of abandoned pets so far in a prosecution under the section of the Animal and Birds Act pertaining to animal cruelty.

TODAY understands that it is the first jail sentence imposed for a conviction under Section 42(1)(d) of the Act, pertaining to neglect by pet owners.

Farisha, who noted that the 43 cats were kept in a small, confined space without adequate food and water, said: “It is a case that has set its own precedent.”

The prosecution argued that a fine would be “far too lenient” and sought a jail term for Danial, given his “deliberate” conduct, since he knew that the cats were breeding “out of control” yet managed the living conditions of the cats poorly.

In mitigation, Danial, who did not have legal representation, told the court that he regretted his actions and is a sole breadwinner who would have to return to work as soon as he was released.

District Judge Lorraine Ho agreed with the prosecution that the health hazard from the neglected cats in the flat could have been spread to the other persons