Four of the 23 rabbits allegedly abandoned at Seletar Farmway have died, while the surviving animals were found with a range of health problems.
The National Parks Board (NParks) said on Tuesday, 22 September, that it is investigating the case.
The four rabbits that died were among seven kits, or baby rabbits, rescued from Seletar Farmway 1. Animal welfare group Voices For Animals (VFA) also took in 16 adult rabbits from the location.
Rabbits Found With Skin Conditions, Wounds and Overgrown Nails
A medical assessment was carried out on 21 September by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), VFA and veterinarians from The Animal Doctors.
The rabbits were found with problems including overgrown nails and skin conditions, while some also had wounds, according to NParks.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said it received a call at about 11.45pm on 18 September about a large number of rabbits apparently abandoned at Seletar Farmway.
As its rescue officers could not be deployed at the time, SPCA worked with the people who reported the rabbits to find another arrangement. The animals were taken in by VFA by about 1am.
VFA said in a 19 September Instagram post that rescuers had been told there could be between 20 and 30 rabbits in the area, including some still inside boxes allegedly used to leave them there.
The group searched the stretch of road to make sure no rabbits had been missed.
VFA also said the area was wet following heavy rain and that many of the rabbits were stained with urine when they were found.
NParks Investigating Alleged Abandonment
NParks said it takes reports of alleged animal abandonment seriously and will take enforcement action where investigations establish that an owner abandoned a pet, failed to provide adequate care or committed animal cruelty.
AVS lists abandoning a pet as a failure in an owner’s duty of care. For a first-time offender, a conviction for failing in that duty can carry a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
NParks is asking anyone with information about the Seletar case, including photographs, videos or eyewitness accounts, to come forward.
AVS’ Animal Response Centre can be reached around the clock at 1800 476 1600. AVS also accepts reports of suspected animal cruelty through its feedback channels.
As at 22 September, investigations into how the rabbits came to be left at Seletar Farmway were ongoing.
