Updated on Dec. 12, 2019 at 7:25 pm with more information from Acres and NParks

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) responded to an incident of animal cruelty, this time involving a mynah.

Hung so it would "learn" a lesson

According to a Facebook post by the organisation, Acres received a call on their wildlife rescue hotline about a Javan mynah dangling from a resident's laundry pole in Yishun.

In a slightly blurry video posted online, the bird appears to be hanging upside down.

However upon meeting the unit's resident, a woman, Acres rescue officers found out that the mynah was not trapped there as a result of some freak accident.

Instead, the woman had deliberately hung the mynah from the pole. This was apparently done to teach the mynah a lesson, so that the bird would "learn" not to enter her kitchen.

The woman managed to catch the mynah, and had tied it up to a peg.

A photo Acres provided showed the mynah with what looks to be a raffia string knotted around its leg.

Acres managed to successfully rescue the mynah and assessed to be free of injuries, but stressed.

After giving it some water and food, Acres' vet said it was suitable for release.

Acres' deputy chief executive Anbarasi Boopal told Mothership that "thankfully the call came on time, as small birds like mynahs may not survive long under these conditions due to stress from struggling and hanging."

Other ways to deter mynahs from entering homes

Most Facebook users expressed shock and anger at the manner in which the mynah was treated.

The resident was informed that this was an act of cruelty, and was advised of other ways to deter the birds from entering her house.

For instance, residents should ensure food, food waste and trash are properly stored and not left exposed.

This includes removing leftover food from the sink after dishes are washed and keeping trash bins covered.

Bird-proofing equipment such as screens and netting can also be installed over windows.

If the above measures do not work, homeowners could also keep the windows closed continually during the day, starting with a period of two weeks, to break the habit of mynas entering homes.

Said Boopal:

"So like many rescue scenarios, which involve not only helping the animal but also educating on ways to prevent conflict and understanding the root cause of why animals visit premises, we did the same as well, advising on covering the food and block[ing] access for the birds. Once [the birds] understand there is no food available, they will stop entering the unit."

The National Parks Board (NParks) told Mothership its Animal Veterinary Services (AVS) is currently looking into the case, and that it "takes all feedback received from the public on animal cruelty seriously".

First-time offenders caught abusing an animal or bird may be charged under the Animals and Birds Act, and could be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to 18 months, or both.

Members of the public can report suspected cases of animal cruelty to AVS via their website at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or call them via their Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

Top photo from Acres / FB and Kimon Berlin / Flickr