ACRES reports alleged rough handling of rooster by pest control workers to NParks
ACRES has reported a pest control company to NParks after videos allegedly showed workers roughly handling a rooster during a capture operation, renewing concerns over animal welfare standards and humane treatment laws in Singapore.
- ACRES said videos showed a rooster being roughly handled during a pest control capture operation.
- The organisation has reported the incident to NParks and called for an investigation.
- Animal welfare groups continue pushing for tougher protections and humane handling standards.
SINGAPORE: Animal welfare group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) has raised concerns over the alleged rough handling of a rooster by personnel from a pest control company during a capture operation, and has referred the matter to the National Parks Board (NParks) for investigation.
In a Facebook post published on 13 May 2026, ACRES shared videos that it said showed workers handling the animal in a manner that may have caused unnecessary distress and suffering.
According to ACRES, the footage showed the rooster being repeatedly tugged while entangled in what appeared to be netting. The bird was also allegedly lifted by a single wing, placed into a gunny sack, and later tossed into the back of a van while still struggling inside.
The organisation said the incident has sparked concerns about humane animal management practices and the treatment of animals commonly regarded as pests in residential estates.
Concerns over humane treatment
ACRES said some members of the public may view chickens and roosters in housing estates as nuisances or pests. However, the organisation stressed that such animals are still sentient beings capable of experiencing stress, fear, pain and injury.
“Proper handling is not optional simply because an animal is to be removed or culled,” ACRES said in its statement.
“Humane handling standards exist to minimise unnecessary suffering throughout the process.”
The organisation also reminded the public that under Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act, causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal may constitute an offence.
ACRES said it had formally reported the matter to NParks and requested an investigation into the incident.
The organisation further called for greater accountability and better training standards for individuals involved in animal capture and pest management operations.
“We hope this serves as an important reminder that animal welfare must remain a consideration at every stage of animal management,” the group said.
Public urged to report suspected abuse
ACRES also urged members of the public to safely document incidents involving suspected animal cruelty or improper handling where possible and report them to the relevant authorities.
The group said witnesses may also contact ACRES directly so it can assist in advocating for the welfare of affected animals.
“Creating a more compassionate society starts with recognising that every animal deserves to be treated humanely,” the organisation said.
Broader animal welfare concerns
The incident comes amid continued scrutiny over animal welfare standards in Singapore and renewed calls by advocacy groups for stronger legal protections and enforcement.
According to an annual report released by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in February 2026, the organisation handled 608 confirmed animal welfare cases in 2025, down from 961 cases in 2024.
Despite the decline, SPCA described the figure as “alarming”, noting that the numbers reflected only cases known to the organisation and that the actual nationwide total could be significantly higher.
Of the 608 confirmed cases last year, 138 cases, or 22.7 per cent, involved animal cruelty or abuse.
The remaining 470 cases, or 77.3 per cent, were linked to poor welfare conditions or neglect.
The figures followed a joint White Paper released by SPCA and ACRES on 26 August 2025 calling for sweeping reforms to strengthen Singapore’s animal welfare framework.
The paper proposed 15 recommendations spanning legislation, public education, companion animal care and wildlife protection.
Among the measures proposed were tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences, licensing requirements for pet groomers and trainers, stricter breeding standards, regulation of online pet sales, and bans on practices such as declawing and debarking.
SPCA and ACRES said stronger enforcement measures, improved education efforts and greater public compassion would be necessary to build a more humane “City in Nature”.
