A 37-year-old Singapore man has been sentenced to 16 weeks in jail after 71 cats were left in severely unsanitary conditions inside a Bukit Panjang HDB flat for nearly two years, resulting in the deaths of nine animals.
Muhammad Khairul Naim Zainol was also barred from owning animals for 12 months after pleading guilty to 24 charges under Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the cats. Another 47 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
The cats had been kept in the flat jointly owned by Khairul and his then-wife, Nurul Nadiah Noor Mohamed. The couple bought the unit in March 2018 and began acquiring cats the following year. Because the animals were not sterilised, their numbers grew rapidly despite attempts to rehome some of them.
Around April 2022, the couple moved out to stay with Khairul’s parents, leaving the cats behind. The flat later lost its electricity and water supply after utility bills went unpaid.
Khairul told investigators that he initially returned to provide dry food and water. However, as entering the flat became increasingly difficult, he began leaving food and water outside the unit. He said he last entered the flat in December 2023, although he returned on Feb. 20, 2024, to leave dry food at the doorstep.
The situation came to light after neighbours reported a distressed, underweight cat seen on an air-conditioning ledge on the third floor. The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) responded, while police separately received a complaint about a strong smell coming from the unit.
When authorities inspected the flat, they found 61 live cats, three decomposing carcasses, six cat skulls and skeletal remains belonging to at least six other cats. Including the cat rescued from the ledge, 62 surviving cats were recovered. Khairul surrendered all of them to the authorities.
Inside the flat, investigators found floors and furniture covered with excreta and dirt, along with cobwebs, cockroaches, flies and a strong ammonia odour. Several windows were open without protective mesh, creating an additional fall risk for the animals.
There was also no fresh water supply. One cat was photographed drinking from a toilet bowl containing dirty brown water that was likely contaminated with faecal matter. Veterinary findings later indicated that the cats faced significant health risks from inadequate food and water, overcrowding and parasite exposure.
The veterinary assessment found that all 61 cats examined had experienced pain and suffering. Forty-four were classified as thin or very thin, while nine were severely emaciated. Almost all were dehydrated, and many had hair loss associated with parasites, ear mite infections and other health problems. One pregnant cat was also found to be malnourished and suffering from wounds and severe skin problems.
Authorities determined that the cats had remained in the poor conditions for about 22 months, from April 2022 until their discovery in February 2024. Investigators said the food and water provided were clearly inadequate for the number of animals in the flat.
Singapore’s animal-welfare rules place responsibility on owners to provide adequate food, water, shelter and care. Under the Animals and Birds Act, a person convicted of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal can face up to 18 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$15,000, or both.
Khairul’s former wife, Nurul Nadiah, who was also charged in connection with the 71 cats, has a separate case pending. Her matter is scheduled to be heard on Oct. 6, and she has not been convicted of the charges.
The case has also highlighted the importance of sterilisation, responsible pet ownership and seeking help when owners can no longer cope with the number of animals in their care.
The bigger question now is whether the case will prompt more pet owners to seek early help before overcrowding and neglect turn into a much larger animal-welfare crisis.
