On the 10th July 2010, a video of a woman beating her pet dog on the head with a wooden broom was uploaded on to Youtube. It has since created a huge uproar from netizens.
In it, the woman is seen yelling at the dog for chewing on a cushion. She repeatedly strikes the dog on the head forcefully, causing the dog to shriek in pain. The dog tries to escape but has nowhere to run as it is cornered against a wall.
SPCA and AVA have stepped in and are investigating this case. However, SPCA revealed that they have no power to prosecute the culprit. We hereby would like to appeal to AVA to update us on the investigation and take firm actions against the woman and bring Butters out of the house.
This new petition page is created to give everyone a voice. Not only can you sign it, you can leave your comments too. Let's make a stand and urge AVA for a swift action by clicking on the link below!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savebutters/
We are targeting to have 1000 signatures before we send this to AVA. Please spread the word around and collect as many signatures as possible. THANKS!
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MEDIA COVERAGE OF INCIDENT
The Straits Times STOMP, Caught in the Act, 12 Jul 2010
Woman whacks and whacks dog on head
A video of a woman beating her pet dog on the head with a wooden stick has drawn flak from netizens. In it, the woman is seen yelling at the dog for chewing on a cushion.
She repeatedly strikes the dog on the head forcefully, causing the dog to shriek in pain.
The dog tries to escape but has nowhere to run as it is cornered against a wall.
The person behind the camera can be heard persuading the woman to stop but she does not stop.
In an email, STOMPer ambien said:
"I found this on an online forum.
"The dog gets beaten on head hard because he bit the owner's cushion.
"They recorded the punishment and uploaded it online!
"I think the method of disciplining the dog is wrong as the dog might go deaf or die if this goes on".
STOMPer AK, who also saw the video online said:
"The video was titled: 'My dog Butters getting punished for chewing on cushion covers in Singapore'.
"Apparently, the woman in the video is the mother and the guy who posted the video is the owner of the dog".
Warning: The video may be disturbing for some viewers.
[http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/caught_in_the_act/410716/woman_whacks_dog_on_head_repeatedly.html]
AsiaOne, Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Woman hits dog repeatedly with wooden sticks
By Angelina Dass
A video of a woman hitting a dog on the head is now under investigation by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). The video is currently circulated on popular video sharing website YouTube and social network Facebook.com.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) told AsiaOne that the owner of the dog - not the woman in the video - contacted them and stressed the importance of getting the dog to the vet.
In an e-mail to AsiaOne, AVA says SPCA has given them information on the "identities of the parties involved" and currently investigating.
However, both AVA and SPCA have declined to reveal this information until investigations are completed.
Further information on the location of the abuse has yet to be clarified.
In the video, a woman disciplines a dog by hitting it on its head repeatedly with wooden sticks. The dog reacts by barking and cowering away from the woman.
The dog also tries to get out of her way but is unable to because it is cornered.
Its crime? Chewing on a cushion.
A boy can be heard telling the woman to stop by saying "enough already". But the woman does not listen to him and continues hitting the dog and threatening it.
If the woman is convicted of animal cruelty under the Animals and Birds Act, the offender can be fined $10,000 and/or imprisoned for 12 months.
Spokesperson for SPCA Ms. Deirdre Moss said that when the officers at SPCA viewed the video together they were very shocked and "there's no doubt that the dog is not only being beaten but also terrorized".
"We just hope the authorities will get to the bottom of this and that the person behind the beating will be identified and action be taken against them."
SPCA also hopes the dog can be removed from the possibility of this happening again and is recommending to the authorities the dog be rehomed.
A vet should also examine the dog to determine if it has suffered any physical injury.
The SPCA also promotes positive reinforcement instead of negative reinforcement like physical abuse.
"It does not teach a dog how to behave... (and instead may bring about) a host of other problems like aggression and fear and may have an adverse effect on the dog."
The woman's actions have drawn much criticism from netizens. Facebook users have made their anger very clear in more than 450 comments about the video on SPCA 's Facebook page alone.
Many have called for action by authorities.
Says Facebook user Angelynn, "No matter what get this woman first and save the dog first".
A latest check on Tuesday evening showed a Facebook page dedicated to raising funds for this case.
According to the page, the funds will be a reward to "any individual who contributes the most effort in tracking down the culprit and bringing her to justice."
Individuals can be nominated by fans of the page and the winner will be chosen by the most number of "likes" - a function that Facebook users click on to show their support.
Anyone with information on the case can contact AVA at 64717198 or e-mail ava_cawc@ava.gov.sg or the SPCA at 62875355 extension 9.
[http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100713-226715.html]
ChannelnewsAsia, 13 July 2010 2130 hr
Female owner caught beating dog on video
By Esther Ng
SINGAPORE: A video of a woman beating her dog with a broom, for chewing on cushions, has made animal-lovers see red.
They have rallied on online forums, YouTube and Facebook to demand punishment for its owner.
A male voice is heard telling the woman to stop but she goes ahead with the beating.
An appeal for information from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, SPCA, on Facebook drew more than 500 comments in just one day.
Meantime, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority, AVA, says it will launch an investigation and will take action against the owners if there is sufficient evidence of cruelty.
If convicted, the offender can be fined $10,000, imprisoned for 12 months, or both. - CNA/jm
[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1069186/1/.html]
TODAYonline, 05:55 AM Jul 14, 2010
Animal lovers cry foul over beating
Owner contacts SPCA; AVA launches investigation
by Esther Ng
SINGAPORE - A video of a woman beating her dog with a bunch of sticks has made animal-lovers in Singapore see red and many have rallied on forums, YouTube and Facebook, calling for the dog to be rescued and its owner punished.
Yesterday, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told MediaCorp that its male owner had contacted the animal welfare group.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) also said it will launch an investigation and will not hesitate to take action against the owners if there is sufficient evidence of cruelty. If convicted of animal cruelty, the offender can be fined $10,000 and/or imprisoned for 12 months.
In an apparent attempt to discipline the beige-coloured canine for biting cushions, the woman in the video rains sharp blows to the head of the dog, which yelps and cowers in a corner.
A man is heard telling her to stop but she continues for another 11 seconds.
But some animal lovers told MediaCorp that the cruelty pales in comparison with the abuse inflicted at puppy mills and that the woman in the video was ignorant.
"Rather than vilify her, we should reach out and let her and the dog attend obedience-training sessions," said Mr Daryl Ng, an accountant.
Dog trainer and president of welfare group Action for Singapore Dogs, Mr Ricky Yeo, told MediaCorp that dogs develop certain habits from their formative years.
"Puppies chew because their gums are painful and itchy when teething. If they are not taught what not to chew, then they carry it into adulthood," said Mr Yeo. The solution is to catch the dog in the act and startle it with a stern "no", or isolate the dog in a darkened room until it calms down.
The next step is to focus the dog's chewing tendencies on "allowable objects" like chew toys, Mr Yeo added.
Dog trainer Harry Quek said changing its diet would help as a dog chews or bites out of boredom or nutritional deficiency.
Both AVA and SPCA said reports of animal abuse are on the rise due to greater public awareness. SPCA received 864 reports last year, a 13-per-cent increase compared to 2008, while AVA received 383 reports last year - six more than in 2008.
Last year, the AVA took action on four cases of animal cruelty and four more this year. Just last month, the AVA fined a rabbit owner $150 for keeping it "poorly".
In March, AVA's deputy director of risk communication Wong Hon Mun told MediaCorp it was difficult to prosecute animal abusers as those who report the cases do not provide enough evidence.
[http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100714-0000107/Animal-lovers-cry-foul-over-beating]
The Straits Times, page B6, Wed 14 July 2010
AVA probes YouTube dog-beating video
Netizens, incensed by clip of woman beating a dog, alert SPCA, which refers matter to AVA
by Jalelah Abu Baker
TODAYonline, 05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010
Three offers to adopt dog beaten by owner
by Esther Ng
SINGAPORE - Three animal lovers have offered to adopt Butters, the six-month-old pup seen, in a widely-circulated video, receiving a thrashing from its owner for chewing on a couple of cushions.
Ms Sandy Lim, founder of the animal welfare group, SOS Animals, has volunteered to adopt Butters and also pay its owner for the crossbreed and buy her a new set of cushions.
Mr Jerry Toh, an assistant outlet manager, and his girlfriend have promised to shower Butters with love just as they do their two-year-old Maltese.
"My concern is the well-being of the dog ... the authorities and the SPCA can do a spot check on us," he said.
Another concerned animal lover, Ms Fiona Foo, has been informed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) that Butters was not "in any danger".
"We have checked on the dog," AVA principal animal welfare inspector Soh Seng Beng told her in an email, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Earlier, Rachel Goh and Clara Fu on Facebook called on the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to rescue the dog.
The pup could develop a "nervous aggression" if beaten repeatedly, said dog trainer, and president of welfare group, Action for Singapore Dogs, Mr Ricky Yeo.
The SPCA said it was grateful and encouraged by the public's concern for the welfare of the animal.
[http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100714-0000107/Animal-lovers-cry-foul-over-beating]
TODAYonline, 05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010
Animal cruelty in its various guises
Letter from Daryl Yong
I READ with interest that animal lovers in Singapore are calling for a woman to be punished for "beating her dog with a bunch of sticks". ("Animal lovers cry foul over beating", July 14.)
When we fatten animals, then slaughter and eat them, we call it "husbandry". When we shoot crows and lay poisonous traps to kill mice, we call it "pest control". When we imprison animals within enclosures for our entertainment, we call it "family fun".
Yet when a woman disciplines her pet for destroying her property, we call it "animal cruelty", a crime punishable by up to 12 months in jail.
To punish a woman for acting like we all do would be the height of hypocrisy.
[http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100716-0000064/Animal-cruelty-in-its-various-guises]
The Straits Times STOMP, Caught in the Act, 17 July 2010
Outraged by AVA comment that dog cruelly whacked by woman is not in any danger
STOMPer Jennifer was angered by the report she read in the media, in which the AVA apparently said the dog that was hit repeatedly on the head with a wooden stick by a woman, was not in any danger.
The video of the woman hitting the dog, Butters, drew criticism from STOMPers, many expressing anger over what they see as an example of animal abuse.
The dog, which was apparently being punished for chewing on a cushion, was heard shrieking in pain as the angry woman kept hitting it on the head with the stick.
STOMPer Jennifer, who was enraged by the response from the AVA, said:
"I was so surprised, shocked and disgusted to read in the media that AVA's principal animal welfare inspector Soh Seng Beng said through an email that Butters was 'not in any danger' and investigations were ongoing.
"Does AVA want to see Butter brutally abused and all bloodied before it says 'yes, the dog is in danger'?
"What kind of message are we sending out to other abusers who keep abusing their pets behind closed doors?
"As Butters was seen on video being whacked so many times by the woman (I'm sure that it was longer than the video clip), you could see the dog was distressed and in pain. Yet AVA says the dog was 'not in any danger'. What about the other two dogs with her too?
"AVA please get your act done right. Butters and the other two dogs with her should be removed and re-homed.
"That woman should be charged for abusing Butters and she should be sent for rehab or anger management. Butters can't speak for himself and ask for help so AVA take action NOW!"
[http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/caught_in_the_act/416046/outraged_by_ava_comment_that_dog_cruelly_whacked.html]
