SINGAPORE — A 40-year-old man was charged in court today (Dec 29) for his involvement in the recent spate of cat abuse cases in Yishun but it is unclear yet if there is more than one perpetrator behind the acts.

One charge of animal cruelty was pressed against Lee Wai Leong in the State Courts today, for flinging an adult male Mackerel Tabby domestic shorthair cat from the 13th floor of 115B Yishun Ring Road at around 10.30am on Oct 30, killing it.

But there have been 19 cases of cat abuse in Yishun since Sept 24 this year, with carcasses being found of felines thrown from height, strangled, bludgeoned on the head and back, and even with their limbs severed. All but two of the cats died.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, a spokesperson from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said investigations into the other cases are still ongoing.

Lee, who was arrested along Yishun Ring Road last Sunday, did not have a lawyer yesterday and no plea was taken from him. He was ordered to be remanded in the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric assessment and will return to court on Jan 12.

He is the first person to be charged under the amended Animals and Birds Act, which enhanced penalties last year. Under the law now, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty for the first time can be fined up to S$15,000 or jailed up to 18 months, or both. For second and subsequent offences, the penalty can go up to S$30,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both.

Before the law was changed, anyone convicted of animal cruelty could be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed for up to 12 months, or both.

When the AVA and the police issued a joint statement on Lee’s arrest on Monday, it urged members of the public who have any information on animal cruelty cases, such as photographs, video evidence or witnesses, to contact AVA at 1800-4761600.