Man who abandoned 71 cats in Bukit Panjang flat given 16 weeks’ jail

“The observation of a cat drinking from a contaminated toilet bowl further demonstrates the inadequacy of the water supply and facilitates the transmission of parasites and disease through the faecal-oral route, predisposing the cats to diseases such as salmonellosis, coccidiosis, and giardiasis.” 

A large proportion of the cats had generalised alopecia or hair loss over their bodies, likely due to parasitic infestation, while a small number also had neurological signs and/or abnormal behaviour, likely due to low blood glucose levels.

One of the cats was pregnant and thin, and had dental disease, signs of infection or inflammation, a healing wound and severe hair loss.

Most of the cats were “skittish and unsocialised”, and their forced proximity to one another would have subjected them to high levels of chronic stress, the report stated.

LEFT UNATTENDED FOR 22 MONTHS

Investigations found that Muhammad Khairul and Nurul Nadiah – as the owners of the cats – had left them unattended in severely poor living conditions for a prolonged period of about 22 months, from April 2022 until Feb 20, 2024.

“Despite claiming to have returned daily to provide food and water, the food and water provided were clearly insufficient for the number of cats present, as evidenced by the physical condition of the cats upon seizure,” read the statement of facts.

Muhammad Khairul also did not enter the unit after December 2023 and was aware that it was in an unsanitary and uninhabitable condition. 

He was first charged in May alongside Nurul Nadiah. Each was handed 71 charges at the time.

For each charge of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, an offender can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to S$15,000, or both.

Nurul Nadiah’s case is pending and will be heard on Oct 6.