S'porean man, 23, allegedly cut off rat's leg without anaesthesia, tried to sell caged civet to NParks officer

A 23-year-old Singaporean man has been charged for allegedly amputating a rat's leg without using anaesthesia.

The man, Jenson Neo, who is not a qualified veterinarian, faces 12 other charges under the Wildlife Act, according to charge sheets seen by Mothership.

These include charges over the illegal removal, possession and sale of various animals, including on Telegram.

Allegedly amputated rat, kept & sold wildlife

National Parks Board (NParks) accused Neo of amputating the rat's front right leg without anaesthesia or analgesia to alleviate the pain, on Jul. 9, 2022.

For the alleged offence, he was charged with causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal.

Neo is also alleged to have taken or kept various wildlife without permission, including a reticulated python, two mangrove snakes and a colugo.

He is also accused of trying to sell one Malayan box turtle and a bird from an unnamed protected species on Telegram.

Charge sheets alleged that Neo did manage to sell two animals to buyers; a sugar glider for S$50 in September 2023 and a corn snake for S$250 in January 2024.

Charged with trying to sell civet to NParks officer

On Feb. 23, 2024, Neo allegedly tried to sell a common palm civet in a cage for S$580 to an NParks officer at a playground at Lorong Kemunchup.

The civet had allegedly been taken by Neo from an unknown location in Bukit Batok.

When caught by enforcement officers, Neo allegedly tried to release the civet from its cage.

Charge sheets alleged that Neo also evaded arrest by running away from them.

Neo has indicated his intention to plead guilty, according to court records seen by Mothership.

His case is still before the courts.

Top image from Canva