Dead felines at Pasir Ris Park spark concerns of serial cat killer

SINGAPORE — For the past one-and-a-half years, cat lover Elle Tusya Salim would make her way to Pasir Ris Park nightly, armed with bags of feed for the stray cats in the vicinity.

However, her nightly routine was disrupted two Sundays ago, after three cats failed to show up for their regular feeding session. Another eight vanished over the next few days.

The mysterious disappearances prompted Miss Elle, 23, and other cat lovers to embark on a search. By Saturday (June 20), seven carcasses had surfaced between the beach and Car Park F of the park.

“We found them hidden in the drain and in between kayaks. They were already decomposing. The last body we found had maggots,” said Ms Elle, a trainee aircraft engineer. Several dead birds were also found nearby.

Last Friday, an eighth cat, known affectionately as Angel, was found having seizures and foaming in a drain by Ms Noorfaradila Ibrahim, 32, a fellow cat lover working with Ms Elle.

A vet later diagnosed Angel with hepatotoxicity — severe liver damage and dysfunction.

The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) are investigating the animal deaths. Patrols around the park have also been stepped up.

In a joint statement, NParks and AVA said they were aware of the cat deaths at the park last week. “AVA is investigating the case with the assistance of animal-welfare groups and vet clinics.

AVA will take enforcement action against anyone who committed animal cruelty,” said a spokesperson for both agencies. If found guilty, the offender can be fined up to S$15,000, jailed up to 18 months, or both.

NParks has despatched more rangers to patrol the park, said the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) in a Facebook post last Saturday. It added that NParks had also retrieved a body for post-mortem.

Former CWS vice-president Veron Lau told TODAY that fish crumbs had been found scattered in the vicinity of the carcasses and the society suspected that the cats had died after eating the poison-laced crumbs. “The appearance of the feed coincides with the deaths,” she said.

Veterinarian Geoffrey Yeo, who is based at Jireh Veterinary Clinic, also believes the cats may have been poisoned. “A lot of cats have been found dead. That increases the suspicion that someone or a few people have been maliciously trying to get these animals injured or harmed in some way,’ said Dr Yeo, adding that a post-mortem sample would be needed for confirmation. Another possible cause is an infectious disease, he added.

The CWS is trying to arrange a meeting with the authorities later this week. “We’re hoping to get their cooperation to help spot suspicious behaviour,” said Ms Lau, 44. “They should also install closed-circuit televisions for public safety, if there aren’t any installed now.”

Public education is also important, added Ms Lau. She hopes the authorities will put up posters around the park to inform visitors of the animal deaths.

As for the remaining stray cats at the park, Ms Elle has taken two — a ginger cat named Pumpkin and a brown-and-white feline named Sarsi — home for the time being. Another five are being fostered by Ms Noorfaradila, a secretary.

“We’re planning to put them back, but we’re not sure when it’ll be safe again. Finding new homes for them won’t be easy too, because the cats are old and people don’t usually (adopt from) this age group,” said Ms Elle.