Town Council to work with NParks on animal welfare following alleged abuse of Punggol cat: DPM Gan

Punggol GRC Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that the town council will be working with NParks and other animal welfare groups to raise awareness about animal welfare.

This comes after a community cat in Punggol named Shere Khan was found severely injured near Block 326B Sumang Walk between May 11 and 12, 2025.

In a Facebook post on May 15, Gan shared that many residents have since written in to express their concerns about animal welfare.

"NParks has assured us that they are looking into the matter," he wrote.

He also urged the public to be "a gracious society" and to "show kindness and compassion to animals", adding that posters will be put up to help raise awareness.

Posters

MP Sun Xueling also reposted Gan's post, adding that they have met with NParks.

"They have assured us that they are looking into the case," she wrote.

Sun said that they are putting up the poster attached in the Facebook post at relevant blocks.

Both Gan and Sun were part of the PAP team that won the election in Punggol GRC.

Prior to the election, Gan said that if the PAP team won, they would set up a new town council chaired by Sun.

The poster, done by Cat Welfare Society, includes information on how to "make a difference" in the lives of community cats, as well as the penalties for animal cruelty.

Shere Khan's death

Shere Khan's death was publicised by LUNI Singapore, a non-governmental organisation that serves street cats.

According to LUNI, the nature of Shere Khan's injuries "points strongly to deliberate abuse, potentially involving strangulation or blunt force trauma."

LUNI told Mothership that Shere Khan was found with:

• Both eyes forced out of its sockets (proptosis)
• Severe swelling of the tongue
• Deep facial wounds
• Frayed claws, likely from a struggle or attempt to escape

LUNI is currently looking for any information, witnesses, dashcam footage, or CCTV recordings regarding the incident.

The National Parks Board added in a statement that it is looking into the matter.

Shere Khan's caregiver told Mothership that his remains were cremated on May 13, and his ashes then scattered in the sea.

Another incident

Just days earlier, on May 9, a community cat named King Kong was found in Yishun, suspected to have been tortured to death.

It was found disembowelled and with its eyes gouged out.

A memorial was set up in Yishun on May 13.

Top photos from and LUNI Singapore/Facebook and courtesy of Lavania Rajasuria