SPCA supports govt ban on exotic animals

I REFER to the letter, 'Exotic animals banned for good reason' (ST, March 23), by Mr Goh Shih Yong of the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) supports the Government's ban on ownership of exotic pets in Singapore. Our urban environment is not equipped to deal with unwanted exotica when the novelty wears off.

Mr Goh quite rightly mentioned that countries which allow exotic pets are encountering animal-control problems and that animal shelters are burdened with having to deal with these animals when their owners no longer want them.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Britain has launched a campaign calling for tighter controls on the sale and ownership of dangerous wild animals, after the rescue of several lethal species.

The SPCA here, while investigating a case of alleged animal abuse last year, uncovered two cases of illegal possession of wildlife in two flats. In the first case, the occupant kept 26 venomous snakes, including cobras, rattlesnakes and pit vipers. A joint visit by SPCA and AVA to the second flat on the same day revealed that the occupant kept 46 assorted reptiles, including pythons, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, chameleons, frogs and salamanders.

The owners were later charged in court and given hefty fines.

DEIRDRE MOSS
Executive Officer
SPCA