Family Reunion

Cookie and Ozzy
From left- Tessie, Rockie, Cookie and Ozzy


It was a surprise reunion at the dog run last weekend when we bumped into Cookie.He is much taller and heavier than his father Ozzy

Dog allegedly hit with metal chain repeatedly

The skin on Wander’s snout has rotted away, leaving its flesh open to infection. (Photo: Madam Wong’s Shelter)




In the latest reported case of animal abuse, a stray female dog was apparently hit on the face repeatedly with a metal chain, leaving its snout disfigured, oozing pus and blood.

Pictures of the abused dog, Wander, was posted on citizen journalism website Stomp on Monday, drawing outrage from netizens.

Mr Ray Yeh, who is in charge of animal shelter Mdm Wong’s Shelter (MWS), said Wander was brought to MWS on Sunday, with injuries it sustained over a month ago.

He told Yahoo! Singapore, it is believed Wander was living in an industrial park, under a lorry. When an unfamiliar foreign worker encroached its “territory”, Wander started barking and subsequently got “bashed up” by the worker.

Another foreign worker, who heard the commotion, ran out and shouted at the abuser. The culprit then cycled away.

A salesman, Mr Ng, who used to feed Wander, told The New Paper (TNP) he tried to treat the dog’s wounds with antiseptic cream but to no avail. The infection later spread to its left eye.

Mr Ng, 48, then took Wander to the vet, where he spent some $300 on medication and boarding fees. On Sunday, he brought Wander to MWS.

“When Wander came in on Sunday, her wound dripped blood when she lowered her head,” described MWS volunteer Lyn Loh, who posted the pictures of Wander’s abuse on Stomp.

Animal abuse cases appear to be on the rise.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (SPCA) initial figures show over 900 cases investigated in 2010, said executive director Deirdre Moss. In 2009, the SPCA investigated 864 reports of alleged cruelty, 13 per cent more than the year before.

Currently, the SPCA is also appealing for information on a dog that was found dead on Dec 26, at the void deck of Blk 415 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 under “suspicious circumstances”. It had blood on its paw and mouth.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) saw a startling 24 cases of animal abuse from January to late October last year, compared to nine in 2009, 11 in 2008 and seven in 2007. AVA attributes the increase to growing public awareness, reported TNP.

Mr Yeh said, Wander is now undergoing surgery to remove dead tissue, blood and pus from its wound. Medical fees could run up to over a thousand dollars.

“Wander is still very trusting and friendly. She started eating yesterday, which is a good sign,” added Mr Yeh.

Pictures of the abused dog were also posted on MWS’ Facebook page on Sunday, in an attempt to highlight the abuse of dogs in Singapore. Various people have since offered to contribute money for Wander’s treatment.

MWS urged for harsher penalties to be imposed on animal abusers and for people to report any case of animal abuse.

SPCA said, “The injuries on the dog are horrific and action needs to be taken if the dog was abused as reported.”

The society urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to make a police report — as the SPCA does not have legal powers to investigate and take action — and inform the SPCA, as soon as possible. For further assistance, the public can call the SPCA at 62875355 ext 9.

The SPCA will also be liaising with the AVA on this matter, said Ms Moss.

AVA has confirmed it is investigating the case.

Ms Moss pointed out, “As the reports in the press say that the dog was found two months ago, it may be hard to establish how the dog was injured unless the stray feeder who found the dog goes back to the scene (of where the crime was allegedly committed) to speak to the worker (who reportedly saw the act being committed).”

The maximum punishment for animal abuse is a fine of S$10,000 and jail term of 12 months.

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