Why We Should Be Concerned When Animals Are Abused

In the wake of the deaths of two community cats in May, some members of the public are echoing a question posed by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam after the first incident: What kind of person would do this?

- lan Cheng

In a January report, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said there were 961 confirmed reports of animal abuse involving some 2,190 animals in 2024.

The figure is a 12-year high and means an average of six animals were subjected to suffering or death each day in Singapore in 2024.

SPCA's first full report on the state of animal cruelty and welfare here also revealed that more than half of these cases involved cats, with 1,330 cases, or 60.7 per cent.

The numbers have some mental health experts concerned.

Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said: "At a moral level, these acts are appalling and reflective of a disregard for the suffering of sentient beings. They suggest that animals are perceived to be less worthy of compassion or protection."

"Beyond morality, there are serious psychological and societal implications."

Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist from Dr BL Lim Centre for Psychological Wellness, said such cases of animal abuse and cruelty are a "worrying red flag".

"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.

"The sheer level of cruelty inflicted — mutilation, repeated injuries or killing with intent — often correlates with deeper psychological disturbance.

"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."