News
S'pore man, 68, sets cardboard cat shelters at void deck on fire, gets 3 months' jail
He was concerned that the houses would draw birds and pests.
August 04, 2026, 04:27 PM
Images via Shin Min Daily News & court documents
Thinking that cardboard shelters meant for cats placed at his block's void deck would draw birds and pests, a Singaporean retiree decided to set them on fire.
Koh Teng Boo, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of committing mischief by fire on Aug. 4.
He was sentenced to three months' jail.
Background
According to court documents seen by Mothership, Koh first noticed the cardboard structures put up at around the pavilion beside Block 261 and the void deck of Block 263 Bukit Batok East Avenue 4 on September 2025.
The houses were stocked with food and water by volunteers and were meant to provide food and shelter to stray cats.
However, Koh noticed that birds were drawn to the cat houses.
He claimed that the houses were also prone to attracting pests and provided feedback to his Member of Parliament.
Sometime in October 2025, Koh picked up three cat houses before throwing them into an incense burner bin and setting them on fire.
He claimed he had done so as nothing had been done about the issue despite his complaints.
Two days later, Koh noticed there were more cat houses set up around his block.
He raised the concerns again to his MP on Nov. 17, 2025, stressing that he did not have an issue with cats but was concerned about the hygiene of such a practice.
He also claimed that residents had been throwing litter into the cat houses.
Burnt houses after drinking
On Nov. 19, 2025 at about 1:28am, Koh was on his way home after drinking when he saw a cat house at the void deck of Block 263 Bukit Batok East Avenue 4.
He took out a lighter and set fire to it, then walked away and left the fire unattended.
It is not revealed how the fire was eventually put out.
On Nov. 20, 2025 at about 5:31am, Koh went to the pavilion beside Block 261 Bukit Batok East Avenue 4 with the intention of setting fire to more cat houses.
He was angered that nothing had been done about the issue despite his complaints.
Koh set fire to one cat house with a lighter, and again walked away, leaving the fire unattended.
A few minutes later, two passers-by spotted the fire and put it out.
An informant was later alerted to the burning of the cat houses and made a police report on Nov. 20.
Koh was identified using CCTV footage and arrested on the same day.
Court documents indicated Koh was aware that he was likely to cause damage to the flooring and wall in the immediate vicinity through his actions.
According to charge sheets, both incidents caused damage to property belonging to Jurong-Clementi-Bukit Batok Town Council that amounted to S$912.96.
Koh made full restitution to the Town Council on Mar. 19.
The deputy public prosecutor sought four-and-a-half months' jail, citing "relatively modest" harm done and the fact that Koh had made reparations.
However, there was potential harm given that the incidents occurred in the early hours and the fire was left unattended both times.
Koh told the court in Mandarin: "I know that my actions of setting the fires are wrong, dangerous and I'm remorseful for my action."
He also submitted recent photos of the cat houses and said they now look more hygienic and well-maintained.
For acts of mischief by fire, he could have received up to seven years' jail and a fine.
