Man jailed after nine cats die, 71 left without proper care in Singapore HDB flat

The cats were discovered in February 2024 after neighbours complained of a foul smell and alerted authorities to a distressed cat on an air-conditioning ledge. — Unsplash pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Thursday, 24 Sep 2026 5:09 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 24 — A 37-year-old man has been jailed for 16 weeks after 71 cats were left in a Bukit Panjang public housing flat in severely unsanitary conditions for nearly two years, during which nine died.

According to CNA, Muhammad Khairul Naim Zainol was also barred from owning animals for 12 months after pleading guilty to 24 charges under Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act, with another 47 charges taken into consideration.

Khairul and his then-wife, Nurul Nadiah Noor Mohamed, had acquired several cats after buying the flat in 2018, but the unsterilised animals bred rapidly.

The couple moved out around April 2022, while electricity and water supplies to the unit were later cut over unpaid utility bills.

The cats’ condition came to light on February 20, 2024, after neighbours alerted authorities to a distressed cat on a third-floor air-conditioning ledge and complaints were made about an odour from the flat.

Animal and Veterinary Service officers and police later found 61 live cats, three decomposing carcasses, six cat skulls and skeletal remains belonging to at least six other cats inside.

Veterinary examinations found 44 of the surviving cats were thin or very thin and nine were severely emaciated, while many suffered dehydration, parasites, ear mites and respiratory problems.

Nurul Nadiah, who was also handed 71 charges when the pair were charged in May, has a separate case due to be heard on October 6.