Woman jailed and fined for animal cruelty, failing to assist investigation and keeping unlicensed dogs

A woman was jailed and fined for animal cruelty, failing to comply with order to assist the investigation, and the keeping of unlicensed pet dogs, said AVA in an official statement. 

In February 2016, Chng Leng Khim, then 43-years-old was sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment for animal cruelty.

Chng was also fined $3,100 for failing to comply with orders to assist with investigations and failing to license her pet dogs. 

She appealed for her case, and the High Court set aside her plea of guilt and sent the case for a re-trial.

Chng was convicted at the conclusion of the re-trial and sentenced on Wednesday (April 4) to four weeks’ jail for animal cruelty, along with a fine of $6,000.

The court heard that on June 12, 2013, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) was alerted to a stray black poodle at Paya Lebar Crescent by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore.

Based on the dog’s microchip, the AVA established its owner to be Chng. 

As the poodle was emaciated and infested with ticks, the AVA thus investigated for animal cruelty.

During the course of the investigations, the AVA found that Chng had two other pet dogs, a Chow Chow and a Bullmastiff.

The two dogs were also thin and tick-infested. 

AVA’s investigations showed that all three dogs were unlicensed, and Chng also failed to comply with AVA’s order to assist in the investigation. 

While the investigation was ongoing, the dogs were placed under the care of the AVA.

However, the Bullmastiff developed severe health issues and had to be humanely put down. 

AVA then worked with the Voices for Animals (VFA), an animal welfare group to rehome the poodle and Chow Chow in February 2014.

Chng was subsequently arrested and charged in court. 

AVA would like to remind the public that animal cruelty is an offence and a pet is a lifelong commitment. 

AVA also condemns all acts of animal cruelty and will investigate all feedbacks on alleged cruelty. 

Enforcement action will be taken against anyone who has committed an act of animal cruelty.

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months for the first offence.

For the second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is $30,000 and a jail term of up to three years, or both.