A new grassroots fast response team has been set up to gather
evidence and conduct patrols in Nee Soon, after a spate of cat
deaths around the estate in the last three months.
Member of Parliament Louis Ng said on Tuesday (Dec 15) that
additional high resolution cameras have also been installed around
the neighbourhood.
He said this will complement efforts by the Agri-Food and
Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Singapore Police Force
in nabbing the serial cat killers, who have struck 17 times since
September. Only one of the 17 cats survived the attacks.
The latest case on Dec 12 involved a cat found dead at a
multi-storey carpark along Yishun Ring Road. It was believed to
have been strangled, with the rope still attached to its body when
it was found.
The fast response team currently consists of 20 to 30 grassroots
volunteers, cat feeders and concerned residents.
Once they have been alerted to a case, a small team of volunteers
will arrive at the location promptly and go from door-to -door to
speak to residents.
They will also leave notices on vehicles in the vicinity to appeal
for the owners of private in-car cameras to review their CCTV
footage for evidence.
Mr Ng stressed that to prosecute any offender, AVA would need
direct verifiable evidence such as videos and photographs.
The AVA, which is leading the investigation, has reviewed the
existing CCTV footage from cameras at HDB lift lobbies and in the
lifts but found no leads so far.
Ms Janet Sum, a volunteer and founder of Facebook group Yishun 326
Tabby Cat, has called for more volunteers to join the fast response
team.
She noted that the current group of volunteers have been
"overwhelmed and overstretched".
About six volunteers patrol the neighbourhood between 1am
and 4am almost every night, but they are unable to cover all
the key areas, she said.
She added that recent cat deaths have become "more cruel" and "more
bold", a sign that the suspects remain undeterred.
Members of the public with any information about the deaths of the
cats may call the AVA at 1800-476-1600 or e-mail[email protected].
ST
