Tuesday, May 13, 2008

More abuse

More cats found dead in Pasir Ris and at least one more suspected abuse case in Tampines. If you come across an abused cat, remember to get a necropsy done and to file a police report even if you have no suspects. This helps if you DO eventually find the suspect and you have the previous cases on file.

One thing also to remember is not to narrow down the list of suspects prematurely. I remember a case where someone reported seeing an older man of a certain race - the suspect turned out to be a younger man who was of a different race. Some witnesses may not be trustworthy - it doesn't mean that they don't mean well, but I read recently that most witnesses of a crime are unreliable because everyone perceives the situation differently and because it happens to fast. If you tend to look for someone based on rather sketchy evidence, you may let the actual suspect slip away undetected.

Another thing to remember of course is that if a witness is not willing to testify, then the evidence is as good as useless. A witness has to give firsthand evidence - hearsay is NOT good enough to stand up in court.

6 comments:

calsifer said...

Why does the need for a witness not apply to human crimes? With this clause, as long as nobody is willing to testify, the abuser gets off scot-free, probably to perpetuate his abuse against more animals.

OT: today's mypaper feature 2 letters calling for feeding fines and cat removal again. Sigh.

Dawn said...

It does actually - you need witnesses to prosecute too even if it's a 'human crime'. The problem is that the cats can't testify.

calsifer said...

But in lieu of witnesses, forensic evidence like finger prints can also be used in the prosecution of human crimes right?

But not for animal abuse cases? I remember the frustration the old airport road patrol team felt, and part of it was due to authorities' reluctance to apply forensics to the evidence at the scene.

EJ. said...

This is horrible! so cruel!
Hope the authority and SPCA can do more to prevent further killings.

Anonymous said...

Same old...
One of the writers suggested removing strays as a solution to abuse(!)while one said that cats might spread diseases to school children. Scared of cat say so lah why use the chirrun as an excuse... LAME

Anonymous said...

These "kia-si" cat-haters are just others and OUR money to do the killing for them! and they claim they do not condone killing! Such hypocrisy! When anyone thinks that a car is worth more than the life of cat, he or she jolly well have a good self reflection on what is the meaning of being a human being!