Authorities in Singapore have announced that they are investigating after a boy was caught on a CCTV camera throwing a cat off the 22nd floor of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in the country. The video, which went viral on social media was posted on Facebook on Thursday (15 December 2022) showed the boy following a black cat out of a lift, carrying it and then throwing it over a ledge and off the HDB block.
As reported by CNA, a loud crash can be heard seconds later as the cat crashes onto the ground. According to the Facebook post, the incident allegedly happened at Block 186 Boon Lay Avenue.
Following the video going viral, a Singapore Police Force (SPF) spokesperson said that they had received a police report on the incident and are currently investigating the matter. Furthermore, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore are also investigating the matter.
Commenting on the incident, Ms Jessica Kwok, group director at AVS asked members of the public “not to speculate on the details of the case and allow investigations to run its proper course”. Meanwhile, Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director of SPCA asserted that the cat died of its injuries after the incident. Calling the boy’s actions as “deeply disturbing”, she confirmed that SPCA has visited the boy’s family for further investigation.
The matter has since been escalated to the relevant authorities for necessary action, with SPCA stressing that they will concurrently counsel the child.
Boon Lay residents Chua Mui Mui and Umi Solikati, who were caregivers of the cat named Panther said that the feline was cared for in the community for over 15 years. Ms Chua, 47, and Ms Umi, 39, were alerted to the incident by a shop owner whose customer had shared the CCTV footage with him.
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