4 of 23 rabbits abandoned at Seletar roadside die, NParks investigating case

Four of the 23 rabbits that were found abandoned along the side of a road in the Seletar Farmway area have died as at Sep. 22, the National Parks Board (NParks) said in response to Mothership's queries.

The agency is also investigating the alleged animal abandonment case.

The rabbits were found abandoned on Sep. 18 evening and were eventually taken in by animal welfare organisation Voices For Animals.

They were first discovered by an eyewitness in the Seletar area, who said that they saw the rabbits hopping around the area.

The eyewitness also said he saw a vehicle leave, with the person in the vehicle telling him that he could have the rabbits if he wanted.

Overgrown nails, wounds

A total of 23 rabbits, comprising 16 adults and seven kits, were found, VFA founder Derrick Tan previously told Mothership.

The rabbits were assessed medically by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), VFA and veterinarians from The Animal Doctors on Sep. 21.

They were found with health issues, including overgrown nails and skin conditions, Jessica Kwok, NParks' group director for enforcement and investigation, said.

Some also had wounds.

Tan previously shared that several of the female rabbits may be pregnant.

The rabbits will be put up for adoption once they are medically stable and ready.

Tan also said that VFA plans to obtain dashcam footage from heavy vehicles parked in the area before submitting a report to AVS.

Appropriate enforcement action will be taken: NParks

Kwok said that NParks takes all cases of alleged animal abandonment seriously.

Appropriate enforcement action will be taken against pet owners who abandon their pets, fail to provide adequate care for them, or have committed an act of animal cruelty, Kwok added.

Members of the public who have additional information relating to this incident, including photographs, videos, or eyewitness accounts, can submit them to NParks or call its Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

Under the Animals and Birds Act, first-time offenders found guilty of failing to care for their pets, including abandoning them, could be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for 12 months, or both.