This is an interesting little cat story from Singapore; a well-organised country with well-developed animal welfare laws which are referred to after the story.
The employer in this instance appears to live in a substantial home because there is a room for a domestic helper to live in. She appears to be a live-in maid and their room has air-conditioning as I presume has the rest of the house.
In addition, the story tells us that the cats of the home have a room of their own as well which is also air-conditioned!
I think that gives you a flavour of what it's like; a well-off person or couple with a son. At least one child perhaps more we don't know.
But the air-conditioning in the maids room failed and they were asked to temporarily live in the cats' room which was air-conditioned.
The son noticed that the maid was abusing the male cat by throwing things at him. He told his parents and suggested that they sack the maid.
The story tells us that he convinced his parents to fire the maid to protect the cat.
But the comments tell us that this didn't happen for a while because they indicate that the cat's owner allowed the maid to live in this room knowing from their son that she was abusing the cat albeit not in a way which physically harmed the cat.
This is a case of mild abuse because the cat was taken to a veterinarian and there were no injuries.
It's more about the attitude of the person rather than the actual harm done. There may have been some mental harm but that's unlikely in my opinion.
The comments to the story include the following:
“Why do you still let the cats sleep with her when you know she’s abusing them? Set up CCTV, get evidence, then report her to the police. Singapore has laws against animal abuse.”
“Please remember that your cats are also family. They are vulnerable and depend on you for safety. Please do not fail them. You won’t know the extent your helper may go or if accidents can happen leading to deaths.”
“After seeing her throw objects at your male cat making him so stressed, you still let him sleep with her behind a closed door?”
One person was so disturbed by it that they suggested that they telephone the police if the cat's owner provided them with more details in this comment as no one was doing anything positive about it:
“Can we have more details so that we can report your helper and family since no one wants to do anything about animal abuse other than you. Let the internet do it for you then.”
My comment: the story is somewhat slightly overhyped I think because it appears that the maid became irritated by the cats or was perhaps upset by being told to live with the cats in a room while the air-conditioning was being repaired for their room. They may have felt belittled by it. There may be a back story here about the way the cat's owner was treating the domestic helper. And we don't know what that back story is.
It's possible that the helper was upset by their treatment and was taking it out on the family cat. There is no information about how this person interacted with the cat before this incident happened.
That said, it's not good if a maid throws things at the family cat! The question that people will ask is can she be trusted? Can she be trusted to not go further and harm the cat? That's why she should be let go from this job in the interests of animal welfare.
Singapore's animal welfare laws in summary
Singapore's animal welfare laws, primarily governed by the *Animals and Birds Act* and enforced by the National Parks Board (NParks), are designed to ensure the proper treatment and well-being of animals across the country. The laws prohibit cruelty towards animals, covering acts such as unnecessary suffering, neglect, and abandonment. This means that any behavior like beating, kicking, or overworking an animal is illegal.
Additionally, the law places a duty of care on animal owners and caregivers, requiring them to provide sufficient food, water, shelter, and necessary veterinary care for their animals. Offenders found guilty of animal cruelty face significant penalties, with fines of up to SGD 15,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 18 months for a first offense. Repeat offenders may face even harsher punishments, including fines up to SGD 30,000 and/or up to three years in prison.
The law also addresses the issue of stray animals, making it illegal to abandon them. Those caught doing so can be prosecuted. Regulations extend to pet shops and breeding facilities, which are required to meet specific standards to ensure the animals' welfare. Furthermore, wildlife protection laws are in place, making it illegal to capture, kill, or trade protected species without proper authorization, with a particular emphasis on endangered species.
Overall, Singapore’s animal welfare framework combines strict legal enforcement with efforts to raise public awareness, promoting humane treatment for all animals.
Singapore
Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island nation located in Southeast Asia. Singapore is known for its strong economy, high standard of living, and efficient government. Despite its small size, it is one of the most developed countries in the world, with a significant global influence in finance, trade, and technology. Singapore gained independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965, and has since developed into a prosperous nation with a unique blend of cultures and languages.
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