US canine war hero

US president posted a photo of the war canine hero in his tweet. Its name is not revealed because according to a US Army General, they need to protect the dog's identity as it is carrying out secret missions. The dog is under classified unit and so the dog needs some degree of anonymity.

I find this funny - isn't a picture of the dog more revealing than its name ? I suppose US president tweeted the photo without knowing that the dog is 'classify' something like a spy whose identity needs to be protected.

Culling of pigeons should be done humanely

The recent case of a pigeon culling video at Aljunied Hougang Town council, which ACRES described as "an outright case of cruelty" - is the common practice used by pest control companies engaged by all Town Councils in S'pore.  Culling is normally done regularly every 3 months.

AVS (formally AVA) is well aware of the method employed as they are the one who approved this inhumane and cruel method of culling pigeons. SPCA is aware of it too but they believe AVS is working towards a more humane way of culling.  Unfortunately - their 'belief' never materialised as AVS sticks to this low cost quick fixes which they claimed is 'effective'. I thought ACRES is aware too - after all this bad practice has being going on for more than a decade with little result in controlling the pigeon population. This itself is evident that the method is NOT effective.

We understand the need to control the pigeon population in housing estate, but a more humane method should be used. It is very cruel to have them suffered so much pain first by poisoning then suffocation while being culled. It is extremely disturbing to see poisoned pigeons falling off ledges. Most of birds though unable to fly are still alive when they are thrown into bags. 

Those pigeons that did not ingest sufficient poison food, flew off and we often see dead birds the next two days at various blocks. If the cleaners do not spot them, the carcass will pose a hygiene problem.

AVS has tested out contraceptive feed method to reduce pigeon population at a mosque and a temple as I recalled for around 3 to 5 years. However AVS seems hesitant to implement it as it is more costly. This method has been found to be effective in other countries.

Sterilization of stray cats has been very effective, thus contraceptive method on pigeons would likely see fruitful results, which years of ruthless poison plus suffocation culling has not.

We are a developed nation, we should stop such cruel culling.  Besides the current method contradicts the spirit of the law of cruelty against animals. It also goes against our national kindness movement and compassion teaching in various religions.

Marine Parade TC committed an offence under cruelty to animal

Pet abandonment is considered as cruelty.  Thus, if a owner who abandon and release his/her pet at a food center - he/she is deemed to have committed an offence under the law and could be fined up to 15,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 18 months.

The recent case where Marine Parade Town Council (MPTC) gave instruction to abduct/steal 2 cats from a resident, Mdm Tan and later abandoned them by releasing them at Harbour Front food center is an OFFENCE. It is pet abandonment - only the offence is committed not by the owner but by MPTC.  One of the cat has been found dead. The other still missing, the likelihood of it being also dead is high.

MPTC has committed a very cruel act to both the pet cats and their owner. The cats are dependent on their owner for food and shelter, they must have suffered unimaginable distress to be abandoned  at an unfamiliar place and left to fend for themselves. Mdm Tan suffers mental agony of not knowing what happen to her pets. She has been searching high and low for her cats for more than 3 weeks.  MPTC has made matter worst for Mdm Tan by being evasive and not telling her initially what they have done to her cats.

Animal cruelty is an offence - thus MPTC should be answerable to the law. The Town Council has abused their power by removing the 2 cats without informing the owner or obtaining her consent.  They even took Mdm Tan's cage for their abduction.  This is stealing both cage and cats while the owner is not at home !!

Shouldn't AVA Be Prosecuted ?

In the recent case of culling of chickens in Sin Ming, who can verify that all those birds culled were domestic fowls?  There is a high probability that there are red jungle fowls among them.

A healthy brood of red jungle fowls which are protected endangered species has been featured in a few documentaries (besides Wild City). Thus it is unbelievable when AVA claims that those were all domestic chickens.  It is unlikely that a healthy brood of red jungle fowls 'disappeared' overnight to be replaced by a brood chickens.

Besides, AVA also claims that the birds were killed humanly. However, there is no explanation on the method used.  If the current method to cull pigeons is used - it is very cruel.  Pigeons are first poison to incapacitate their motion, so we see pigeons falling of ledges and roofs after ingesting poison but still alive. Then they are stuff into bags to suffocate slowly to death.

It is an irony that AVA being the 'gatekeeper' for the act on cruelty against animals condone such inhumane culling method for years.  Can AVA be trusted to be a reliable 'gatekeeper' for our protected endanger species?

What if the authority such as AVA has crossed the line and infringed upon the Act to protect endangered species and animals against cruelty in the Sin Ming fowl incident - who will prosecute AVA ?

Can we trust AVA to own self check own self ?

Myna Population Control in Yishun and Clementi

It was reported in the media that fogging of selected trees will be done to manage the myna population in Yishun and Clementi by AVA, due to residents complain of the noise created by the birds.

The authorities do not think it is a long term solution.  Likely it will not be effective as we have seen how years of culling of pigeons by poison has not work.  It used to be the same with stray cats, with AVA culling them and discouraging feeding, but with limited result in controlling of the strays population. This is until NGO groups actively promotes sterilization of stray cats. The sterilization program has been very effective in reducing the strays population.

Contraceptive bird feed has been found to be effective in other countries. AVA is doing trail run on pigeons at a mosque in Singapore.  AVA should expedite this program and extend it to both pigeon and myna population control island wide.

Fogging will only drive the myna from on location to another.  So peace in this neighborhood results in noise in another. Besides, though fogging does not kill the birds, but it is still chemical involved. Chemical dissipated into the air can land in surrounding locations and caused irritant to human and pets. It may be inhaled and cause health issues.

Must we drive and kill off all other animals (except pets) in HDB ?  Can we learn to be more tolerant towards stray cats and birds in our estate. They add life and colour to our concrete jungle.

MRT Cross Island Line - another wayang

While the govt is currently in the process of  gathering feedback from the public on the proposed MRT Cross Island Line (CIL) route, it looks like it is just another wayang pretending to listen while it has already made up its mind to go ahead to run it under our nature reserve.

Last night news report over the TV, we have the latest govt propaganda which is indicative that CIL line will be cutting beneath the nature reserve.  In the news clip, first they tell us that the start of the tunneling will be outside the reserve to minimise impact.  Then they said they rather not have it running near residential areas as it will affect residents.  They also mentioned there are elderly around the area and it will inconvenient them. Isn't this a self contradiction - if the impact is minimum why the concern then?

How stupid and lame to use seniors as an excuse!  What is the senior population there?  Are they saying it is exceptionally high?  Are our past and on-going MRT construction all over the island not also an inconvenient to senior residents in those parts of  S'pore?

Which is the greater evil - the possible irreversible damage to the fauna and flora, even dead and extinct of endangered species in the nature reserves OR the temporary inconvenience to residents? What they are really concern with is cost of construction, so please stop all the dishonest lies!

We have seen first hand how underground digging cause so much disturbance above ground. So don't try to bull shit us about minimum impact on the nature reserve.

Only in Spore we have this irony where nature reserve has little meaning as the govt can do what they like with it. Look at the resident housing right at the door step of our Bt Timah nature reserve. No buffer zone. So when folks choosing to live near nature, yet complained when they have monkeys around their homes, - monkeys are culled.  All fauna and flora are protected in nature reserve, but not so in S'pore.

Govt are pushing for the 6.9 million population so they are sacrificing our scarce nature reserve to cater for the foreign influx.  We the citizens and all the fauna and flora in Spore are the sacrifice lambs in our govt political manoeuvres  and GDP growth.

Culling of Pigeons by Poison

Due to urbanization, animals suffer as a consequence of intolerance.  There are animal welfare groups looking out for dogs and cats, but none for pigeons. So these poor birds are made out to be dangerous disease spreading monsters and they are poisoned regularly. 

There have never been any statistic on pigeon transmitting diseases to human locally as far as I know. All animals, human included can spread certain diseases. Pigeons are singled out to spread fear so that it is easier to justify killing them.  Likely our medical profession are more 'dangerous' than pigeons since we have hepatitis link death and possible respiratory transmission just recently in 2 of our established hospitals.

We understand the need to control the pigeon population in housing estate, but more humane method should be used, instead of poisoning.

It is extremely disturbing even for adults to see poisoned pigeons falling off ledges. Children are visibly upset when witnessing such incident. Most of birds though unable to fly are still alive when they are thrown into bags.  

It is very cruel to have them suffered so much pain first by poisoning then suffocation while being culled.

Those pigeons that did not ingest sufficient poison food, flew off and we often see dead birds the next two days at various blocks. If the cleaners do not spot them, the carcass will pose a hygiene problem.

AVA is testing out contraceptive method to reduce pigeon population at a mosque. AVA should expedite on this contraceptive project. Since it has been found to be effective in other countries, they should work with Town Councils to implement it across S'pore.

Sterilization of stray cats has been very effective, thus contraceptive method on pigeons would likely see fruitful results, which years of ruthless poisoning has not.

We are a developed nation, we should stop such cruel culling.  Besides the current method contradicts the spirit of the law of cruelty against animals. It also goes against our national kindness movement and compassion teaching of religions.

The Most Expensive Pest In Singapore !

Wa ... seems like the 'honour' of being the most expensive pest in S'pore (perhaps even internationally) goes to the rats residing in Bt Batok.

According to the Chinese papers and an article in The Real S'pore, it cost the Town Council a cool $120 K for the 'rat removal operation'.  That translate to $522 per rat ($120 K divide by 230 rats).

A cost saving way is for the Town Council to organise a neighourhood bonding session, where residents meet up to catch rats.  This activity could be included in of our govt current integration program among locals, new citizens and foreign residents.  They could pick up a new trade for backup career planning in pest control which looks very promising, as there are reports of rats sighting all over Singapore.  Besides there are many mosquitoes to spray all over the island from HDB to private condos.

Or the Town Council could have loan the cats from the recently out of business Cuddles Cat Cafe to eliminate the rats. Those 30 cats are jobless and their owner is desperate to recoup his money. I am sure he can loan them out and charge $5 per rat caught. The bill will only be $1150. Even if he charges $20 per rat it only cost the Town Council $4600.

There are many cat owners and stray cats care givers in Bt Batok. Town Council should have sought their help. Some of them may even be willing to let their cats it do for free.  After all the strays are community cats and they will have fun serving the community catching rats. As token of appreciation, Town Council could give these 'heroic' cats 1 month supple of cat food. The cost will be really be PEANUT compare to $120k.

Well, if our Town Councils could lost millions in bad investment without need for accountability to residents, $120k is likely a small sum to them. No need to answer for it, just move on. If money is not enough, raise service and conservancy fee again, never mind even if there are surpluses transfer to the sinking fund.  Coming out with an 'excuse' is as easy as ABC.

Singaporeans are quick to pick up on the ironic and humorous side of the whole issue.

"Wah.... 1 rat is equal to 8gram of 999 gold bar sia.... didnt know rat worth so much..."

"can CPIB come in to investigate?? SGD522 for a rat....?? are we taxpapers idiots or what?? "

"What is $120,000? Not even enough to pay the Minister one month salary. To PAP, this is just PEANUT,.."

These quotes are feedback from humorous readers of The Real Singapore who are sick and tire of our govt stupid habit of sitting on a problem and not acting until it explodes. Remember our MRT breakdown, overcrowded hospital, HDB shortage......woes after woes.. They will then turn panicky and start throwing money to solve it, the only way which they know.  It does not matter how much it cost as it is tax payers' money after all. It does not matter if it addresses the root cause of the problem, because being shortsighted, they will just pour more money into it, without reflecting on their own shortcoming.   If money really can buy talent, how come we have a bunch or morons in parliament ?

Of Cats and Crows

CATs
The recent unpleasant case of cats dying in a cat cafe operated by inexperience owner is a wake up call to those rushing into the latest craze hoping to profit from it.  Likely he does not really have welfare of animals in his heart as those cats in his cafe are not from animal shelters or abandon strays.  He bought them from pet shops so that they look cute and nice. Those who truly care for animals should not patronized cafe run by such owner.  It is a blessing that he is out of business.

One thing for sure, he will not be keeping the cats as he is trying to sell his business set up with around 30 cats.  Hope he will make an effort to re-home the cats should he failed to find a buyer.

There is a place for social enterprise catering to abandon animals where animal welfare is the main driving force besides profit.  Such cat cafe owners deserve to be successful as their success will translate to more animals being helped.

CROWs
There is an article by Mr Tan CW on "Stop shooting of crows, use humane methods to prevent attacks".   The sad fact is likely attack is just an excuse to shoot them. Crows are being culled regularly just like pigeons.  They are all considered as pest by our govt. Our govt does not practised human method when animals are classified as pest.

Crows are just too intelligent to be poisoned or caught. 

I have witnessed when pigeons flocked to feed on poison food and suffering a painful death, while the crows kept away.  They were in fact crowing away up in the trees warning fellow crows of the danger. There was not a single crow amongst the flock of dead pigeons. Crows seems to have learn from past experience, where pigeons have failed.

Crows will be shot, it is only hope that the shooters ensure the birds die quickly. Wounded birds could be gassed in a bag (eg carbon dioxide).  There are other methods if the govt want to save cost.  Just  don't leave wounded birds to suffer a prolong death. 

Of DOGs and RATs

The root cause of the stray dogs and rats problem at Bt Batok is HUMAN!  Who abandon the dogs in the first place ?  Likely these dogs have formal owners who did not even bother to do sterilized them.

There are black sheep amongst feeders.  They should be fined for littering for being so lazy and inconsiderate. Such irresponsible feeders do not represent other strays care givers.

Dogs do not breed rats. So stop blaming the strays. The rats population exploded because various govt officials are practising their taiji as usual. The concern area MP is busy fixing MPs of opposition ward. The issue was not dealt with until it was all over the internet and MSM forcing action from them.

So folks like 'wolaop' should think deeper and stop being rude calling other stupid in his/her article.

The earth does not belong to the human species alone.  "The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man" - Charles Darwin.   These strays are in undeveloped area, and yet folks like 'wolaop' is so bitter and intolerant of the strays existence.

"If any culture has a sympathy for its animal companions, then it has a chance to become sensitive and caring in all respects."  We can only pray that folks like 'wolaop' forms the minority, as society will be richer and kinder with less them. 

Culling Of Pigeons in S'pore

Though I know that pigeons are culled regularly by pest control company employed by Town Council in HDB, but I have never witnessed the horrible scene before.  This morning, I saw pigeons being picked up from the ground and bagged into plastic bags.  They are still alive but weaken so much that they let themselves be picked up and thrown into plastic bags.  Birds were also falling off the ledge onto the ground.

It is so upsetting that a family passing by asked me what is happening.  I told them the birds were poisoned. They are non-locals and were shocked that our laws allow such inhuman act.

Imagine how much pain we endure when we have tummy upset. How terrible the pain will be to ingest poison and death is NOT immediate.  Here we are talking about making cruelty to animals carries a heavier penalty.  On the other hand, we allow such cruel method to be used to cull pigeons which are classified as pest in S'pore.

Pigeons are just birds, but become pest in S'pore context because of our over-development and dense population living in HDB.  The poor birds become the victim of S'pore progress !

It is not the pigeons fault that their environment is heavily populated by humans. Why can't we be more tolerant and live and let live. Even if they need to be culled, can't we have more humane way of doing it?  The food could be drugged to knock them unconscious. They can then be bagged and gassed with carbon dioxide so that they died while still unconscious.

We are a first world country and yet we use such cruel and inhuman method to cull birds just to save cost!  It is an irony as there is so much contradiction on interpretation of cruelty to animals. 

Out Dated Road Traffic Act Killing Cats & Monkeys

On one hand with have law that prohibits cruelty to animals with penalty clauses of jail term and/or fine.  Then we have our traffic police telling us that under the Road Traffic Act it is perfectly fine to hit and run away if you knock down an animal as long as it is not -  ass, cattle, dog, pig, goat, horse, mule and sheep.

The police under MHA must be either very busy or very lazy.  Why is there no review and update of the Act? With the exception of dog, sighting of any other of those listed animals will be such rare occurrence that it will be news worthy. This outdated law is probably written long long time ago where S'pore used to have pig farms and bullock carts pulled by cattle. 

So it is not cruel to knock down and leave a injured cat or monkey to suffer a painful lingering death under the Road Traffic Act?  Why the inconsistency in the law which contradicts each other? 

Under the Animals and Birds Act, all mammals are covered under it (except for human and fish).  So should not the police keep up with time and update their Act?

They make it known that they will only response to those 'certain' animals cover under their outdated Act.  Such response only reflect negatively on them.  No wonder we have our serious riot in Little India. Our police force are passive and complacent and will only wake from their slumber if they are pushed.

Let us hope our pro-active NGOs will do the pushing.  Now - where is the voice of AVA?  Sigh - they are in the same operation mode as our police force - passively inactive - the less work the better.

Cleaner whacking pigeons, kitten in rubbish bin and Otters

It was report in SPCA bulletin that a Town Council cleaner was seen going around whacking pigeons.  He then dumped the semi-conscious live birds in plastic bag.  Seems like this cleaner and his supervisor do not perceive it as an act of cruelty.  Could be because uniquely in S'pore, pigeons are  classify as pest and to be culled.

In London, pigeons are part of the attraction at Trafalgar Square. In the movie, Mary Poppins, the children were taught compassion and encouraged to feed the pigeons in one of its song Feed The Birds. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4)

It was also reported that a kitten was dumped in a rubbish bin at the void deck. It was place in a tied up plastic bag.  Luckily its meowing lead to its rescue.  It was found soaked in its own urine in the bag.

What sort mentality these people have who can commit such cruel act.

Even folks who claimed to care about nature can also be senselessly cruel to one species while claiming to protect another.

At a talk conducted by Nature Society about otters making a come back in S'pore, an audience suggested whacking stray dogs which may intrude into the otters' hideout. These strays are local and have been hanging around that area. The otters are thought to have 'immigrated' from Johor area due to the extensive development recently.

We welcome the otters to make S'pore their home, but certainly our local strays should not suffered because of them. (sound rather similar to our immigrant and FT policies)

The speaker clarified that actually human post a greater disturbance to the otters.

AVA Murdering Monkeys

During the SARS period, AVA went around killing stray cats even though the suspected cause of SARS is from the raccoon (civet cat), with a name that sound like a cat. If I am not mistaken, AVA was then under the 'reign' or our current flood/mosquitoes minister VB. That confirmed our govt tend to over-react and take the easy way when problems arise, regardless of the root cause of those issues. As long as they can say ''see we have taken action'', it matters not if those actions solve the problem. No wonder the govt under PAP is infamous for being the 'Wayang King'

When we have folks complaining about monkey, AVA take the easy route and engage contractors to murder them. These contractors are paid by the number of monkeys they killed. That gives them motivation to capture monkey even in protected nature reserves.  As our govt is motivated by greed, they used similar method to motivate the contractors they engaged.

The problem is started by human beings - root cause. But AVA goes after the monkeys. Sigh !  Majority of the complaints are from the residents living near the nature reserve. Folks who choose to live near nature should learn to appreciate and integrate their way of live with their environment. Instead, they expect nature to accommodate them ! 

Our nature reserve in Bt Timah Hill is invaded by loads of human daily. During the weekend it is worst, with many organised groups walking up the hill.  These folks feed the monkeys although there are prominent notices prohibiting it. The few rangers are ineffective in enforcing the rule.

So the monkeys got used to human and associate them with food. Now when they get too close for comfort, folks start complaining the they are 'attacked' or 'look like it is going to attack my child'.  Whether the monkey actually attack, matters not.  When the word 'child' is mentioned, those monkeys are doomed.

AVA can't even live up to their Corporate Vision is - "To be a premier organisation known for our professional expertise...", and one of their goals is : Promote animal welfare.

Have they been actively doing it ? Looks like they are actively terminating animals instead over the years whenever there are complaints. First the cats, recently dogs and now the monkeys.

Heart break being a stray caregiver

A stray cat I looked after for 5 years died this week of suspected kidney problem (drink alot).  It is very painful for me this time round as this cat had been accompanying me during my morning exercise almost everyday for the past 5 years.  In fact, it was closer to me and I am more attached to it than my own pet at home.

I believe in euthanasia to prevent an animal from unnecessary suffering when the end is near. Though the decision is hard to make, I have done it before for my own pets and strays in the past. I failed to make the call this time due to my strong emotional attachment to this dignify stray.  I have been delaying it till it is too late. It remained 'posed and dignified' till its last day. I know it was getting weaker and losing weight as it was hardly eating, but it never failed to turn up in the morning to greet me. 

The last day I saw it, it was sticking more closely to me than usual. I wanted to make the call that day but it looked 'better' as it was more active following me around.  The next day it was gone. Strays normally hide in the drains to die. 

I wish I had made the call days or weeks earlier, perhaps it could have eased its suffering. How I wish they could communicate when they are ready to leave this world.  Some, like this stray, are so resilience and have such strong life force it is so difficult to know if they want to fight till the end or go peacefully earlier. 

Cruel Tradition Should Be Discontinued

The Andean Condor is a majestic bird of prey with a 2 meter wing span. Its population is on the declined like all other threatened species due to human urbanisation.

It is disheartening and sad to learn that they are captured annually for summer celebration in Peru.  The name of the festival is Yawar Fiesta which means Blood Festival. These birds with sharp beaks and claws are tied to the back of bulls and released into the arena packed with thousands of spectators. The bulls will be charging away in fright with the condor lashing out at them and pecking at their eyes.

This is a very cruel practice. We have 2 species of animals suffering for human entertainment. To add to the 'fun', drunken bullfighters are also in the arena to torture the bulls.

Such cruelty cannot be justify with the label 'tradition'. It is inhuman to inflict pain and agony on animals.

I don't give a damn to the historical meaning behind it. Those who 'invented' the practice are dead and gone but generations of condors and bulls are suffering since 1824!  It is said that the condor represents the indigenous people while the bull their Spanish conquerors.  So we have the condor riding the bull and having the 'upper hand'.  The condor though terrified out of its wits, is considered 'sacred' and will be released at the end of the festival (if they survival the ordeal!)

Those bulls will be dead meat by then.  This inhuman tradition and also that of the Spanish Bullfighting should be discontinued.  When there are TV coverage of bullfighting, my heart goes out to the poor bull. It is pierced again and again until its back is like a porcupine, with lances and spears sticking out all over it. Those spears have barbs. It has to suffered a prolong painful death. 

I recalled reading there is another cruel tradition where a live lamb/sheep is brought up to a tower and throw down in the name of  'tradition'.  It is horrifying to read about all these senseless practices. The frightening thing is there are so many blind followers of traditional who continue with them. 

Inconsiderate Pet's Owners

Though most pet's owners pick up their doggie shit, but unfortunate many let their pet spray urine all over HDB void deck.  It is very common sight in HDB estate to  see pet dog going from column to column to leave their mark.  If children are not allowed to urine all over HDB void deck, what makes these pet's owners think their dog can do so.  Lack of common sense or plain laziness ? Most likely the latter.

If not for the fine under littering, these owners would not bother to pick up their doggie shit. I suppose they do not think urine is considered  as litter, but it could be under vandalism.  Even if their are unable to get their dog to discharge at grass area, they could at least bring a bottle of water to pour over the column in the void deck where their dog has urinated.

Then there is the problem of abandon cats in HDB estate. I was shocked to see around 9 kittens at one of the HDB block on Monday. They are new strays.  They are likely siblings from the same batch or two tabby cats under the same owner. They are about the same age (similar size), colours and got along well. Irresponsible owners do not sterilized their cats and when they end up with more kitties than they can handle, they abandon them where they know there are strays care givers.

As I am a strays care giver myself and it is a headache when the strays population increase. Complain bound to arise and the strays will be rounded off to be terminated. Then there is the problem of catching them for sterilization.

Many strays are territorial and this add to the problem of feeding  and drinking point. Besides it increases the chance of complaint since their are likely to have noisy fight.

Stray dogs, cats, rabbits... being eaten

I read with disappointment the report that stray dogs are being eaten by foreign workers. I am not sure but I think this is the first time it is being reported 'officially' in the main stream media (MSM). This is nothing new as we care givers of strays have been suspecting it all along but lack proof.

The first time I encountered such issue was way back in the 1990s.  I was working in SingTel then, and at one of the telephone exchanges, the guard told me the stray rabbit was caught and eaten by the foreign workers.  There was a work site opposite the exchange.

I remembered this incident because I was very upset by it.  I used to look forward to any work in that exchange (I was not based there) as there were a stray cat and a rabbit that hang around the guard post. They were good friends as they licked and cleaned each other. It was a heart warming sight.  I had a cat and a rabbit a home, but unfortunately, they were not in the best of term.

Many of the strays care givers are wary whenever a construction site sprang up near our place. Since S'pore has become one big construction site in recent years, I suppose this problem the strays becoming a 'free' food source for foreign workers has become so common that it is picked up by MSM.

Not long after the MRT Downtown line construction site hit my area, a strays feeder told me that 2 of the cats she was feeding went missing one after another within weeks. She was very upset as she had been caring for them for a few years.  They were healthy and in their prime.  These 2 strays were friendly and approachable, which made them popular amongst residents, but also became their undoing.

Her block were the 2 strays hang around was just beside the construction site. 

Not sure if those foreign workers courses run by MOM touch on the topic that it is illegal to eat dogs, cats, rabbits.....etc in S'pore.  Their ignorance is certainly endangering our poor strays. Besides, it is not a bliss for them either.  They could be fined up to $10K and/or imprisoned under the law.  Paying $10K to put doggie, kitty or bunny meat into your mouth is very expensive indeed.  MOM, employers and employment agencies should ensure these workers are acquainted with local laws and customs.

Pigeons are PEST in S'pore

In other countries, pigeons are just birds. But over here, it has been officially classified as pest for decades. In S'pore, besides pigeons, there are about 4 other species of birds which are under pest category because of their 'large' population.

Crows and mynas are under pest category too.  Crows being large and aggressive are culled so frequently that their number has reduced drastically in recent years, that they are hardly noticeable. They are normally shot down.

Pigeons are poisoned to reduce their number. Another method is trapping. Not sure how they are murdered killed after being removed from the traps. What we do know is that even before they are removed, they may suffer thirst and hunger for days if the pest control firm task to undertake the job 'forgets' to retrieve the traps. So many may die in the traps intentionally 'unintentionally.'

Perhaps being shot down is a less painful death. Dying by poison and being trapped are horrific death for these poor birds.

Mynas which are small chippy birds are relatively harmless, just like pigeons. But too bad, just because they are fit and can survive well in S'pore harsh urban environment,  they become pest.

Pigeons have the worst adverse publicity. Town Councils often used scare tactics that pigeons spread diseases to the old and young.  As more than 80% of the human population  lives in high rise flats, pigeons are also blamed for dirtying washing hang out to dry. It is the environment that make them into pest.

Our tiny state human population has increased drastically in recently. Despite years of  'Keep S'pore Clean' campaign, we still depend on the large numbers of cleaners and sweepers to keep the city state clean. Thus, would we not qualify as 'pest' too ? 

Interesting Lawsuit

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has filed a lawsuit against Sea World using anti-slavery laws in a bid to free the whales and dolphins in the theme parks.

PETA argument is that whales and dolphins are capable of abstract reasoning, have vocal languages, exhibit family group culture and as individualistic as human. Thus, these mammals should have the rights of being a free  'person'.

If they are successful, it could help change this inhuman practice in many theme parks around the world, which includes S'pore RWS, which make use of these popular mammals to generate profit.