A man and a woman were charged in court on Wednesday (May 6) over the alleged neglect of 71 cats that were left without sufficient food and water for nearly two years inside a Bukit Panjang Housing Board flat, resulting in the deaths of nine animals.
The accused, Muhammad Khairul Naim Zainol, 36, and Nurul Nadiah Noor Mohamed, 32, each face 71 charges related to the case. Court documents stated that the cats, mostly domestic shorthairs, were identified from “E1” to “E71” and kept at a unit on the third floor of Block 469 Segar Road.
The pair are alleged to have caused unnecessary suffering to the animals by leaving them unattended in a vacant flat under poor living conditions between April 2022 and February 20, 2024. They are also accused of failing to provide adequate food and water throughout the 22-month period.
Nine of the cats, labelled “E63” to “E71”, were found dead, while the remaining animals were reportedly subjected to prolonged neglect and distress, according to court filings.
Both accused did not indicate their plea when the case was mentioned in court. The matter has been adjourned to June for further proceedings.
If convicted under the Animals and Birds Act for causing unnecessary pain and suffering, each charge carries a penalty of up to 18 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$15,000, or both.
Under current Housing and Development Board rules, households are allowed to keep up to two cats in public housing units, a policy introduced in September 2024. Previously, cat ownership in HDB flats was not permitted, although enforcement had been inconsistent.
