NParks says white Marsiling community cat found with black residue doing well, no evidence of cruelty

The National Parks Board (NParks) has investigated a case of suspected abuse involving a community cat in the Marsiling industrial estate, and found no evidence to suggest an act of cruelty.

Around Jul. 26, the 10-year-old white cat, nicknamed "Bai Bai" (Mandarin for "white"), was discovered by cat feeders in what they initially believed to be black oil.

The residue was inside its ears and on its eyes as well, preventing the cat from opening its eyes, the feeders told Shin Min Daily News.

They added that Bai Bai was crying and looked very afraid at the time.

Concerned that it might have been abused, they reported the incident to the authorities.

In a statement provided on Aug. 7, NParks' Group Director of Enforcement and Investigation Jessica Kwok described the cat to be found with "black residue" on its body.

A veterinarian who treated the cat observed that it was in a dirty condition, she said.

"The residue is unlikely to be oil as it washed off from the cat’s body with water during a shower at the clinic. The cat was otherwise found to be well.

We have looked into the matter and found no evidence to suggest an act of cruelty."

She added that as community cats live in the open and move about freely, their living conditions may not be optimal compared to pet cats.