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SINGAPORE: A man seen in viral video throwing dogs into a canal during the COVID-19 “breaker” period last year was charged in court on Wednesday (Feb 24) with multiple crimes, including bringing dogs to a reservation natural for swimming without approval.
Permanent resident of Malaysia and Singapore, Cheong Wah Meng, 58, allegedly took five dogs to Upper Pierce Reservoir Park on May 8 and 9 last year, bypassing the “No Entry” signs and without keeping dogs on a leash.
He was charged with 27 counts, including two counts under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act for leaving his home without a reasonable excuse during the circuit breaker when nonessential exits were prohibited.
He also faces multiple charges under the Animal and Bird Rules (Dog Control and Licensing), including for having more than three dogs in his home at 9 Thomson View, and charges under the Parks and Trees Act for bringing dogs to a reservation. natural without approval.
Despite the fact that there are no entrance signs at Upper Pierce Reservoir Park, a designated nature reserve, Cheong allegedly brought a poodle, a labrador retriever, a mongrel and two golden retrievers to the park.
According to the charge sheets, he left his home without a reasonable excuse to take five dogs swimming in a drainage canal near the main gate of the reservoir park.
One of the dogs is said to have sustained an injury when he fell from a height of one meter into running water.
In a video posted on the Chained Dog Awareness Singapore Facebook page on May 9, Cheong was seen dumping a dog on what appeared to be a gutter. According to the page, a witness saw a man throwing four to five dogs into a canal.
Cheong will return to court next month.
For COVID-19 crimes, you could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S $ 10,000, or both. For taking a dog to a nature reserve without approval, he could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S $ 50,000, or both.
For failing to ensure that his dog is protected from major injury by being thrown into the water, Cheong could be jailed for up to a year, fined up to S $ 10,000, or both.
For entering a nature reserve that is closed to the public, you could be fined up to S $ 2,000. For having more than three dogs in your home, you could be fined up to S $ 5,000. You could be fined up to S $ 5,000 for failing to tie up your dogs in public.
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