The authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal abuse involving three rabbits after one of them suffered severe injuries and died on Monday (Nov 21) .
The incident is said to have happened after a young student who was living with her uncle brought home three rabbits without her uncle’s consent, according to a Facebook post by Singapore rabbit rescue group Bunny Wonderland.
The rabbits would often “jailbreak” and on a few occasions, entered the uncle’s room. The post claims that the uncle would lock the rabbits in a toilet with no food and water.
The student found the rabbits hurt on one occasion and when she confronted her uncle, he allegedly admitted hitting the animals with a wooden rod.
Although all three rabbits were rescued by Bunny Wonderland after the student left them in the group’s care, one of them, named Apollo, was found to be in an “appalling condition”.
The post read: “(Three) of his legs were broken and he could not move his lower half at all. We took over his care and brought him to The Animal Doctors. His lower spine was fractured and almost all his ribs were broken. The old injuries may have healed but the long term abuse had put a strain on Apollo.
“He lost all senses to his limbs, he cannot defecate on his own, and no medication in his world could heal him.”
Apollo’s condition took a turn for the worse on Nov 21. After being hospitalised that morning, Apollo died three hours later when it showed signs of neurological disorder.
The Facebook post added that the House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) have been asked to look into the case.
When contacted by AsiaOne, SPCA and AVA confirmed that they were investigating. HRSS could not be reached for comment.
SPCA’s executive director Dr Jaipal Singh Gill said: “SPCA’s consultant veterinarian examined the rabbit and we sent the animal to a private clinic for X-rays. The rabbit was found to have sustained physical injuries.
“We referred the case to the AVA and provided them with the evidence we had gathered for their follow up and enforcement action.”
In Singapore, animal cruelty is an offence. First-time offenders can be jailed for up to 18 months and fined up to $15,000 or both, under the recently amended Animals and Birds Act.
stephluo@sph.com.sg
