A 71-year-old woman in Singapore has been fined for repeatedly feeding pigeons, disregarding previous warnings and fines. The court heard evidence of her persistent actions, which violated the Wildlife Act.
In Singapore , a 71-year-old woman, Sanmugamnathan Shamla, has been penalized with a S$3,200 fine (approximately RM12,500) for repeatedly feeding pigeons near her Toa Payoh apartment block. This follows a history of warnings, fines, and pledges to cease her actions, yet she continued to violate the Wildlife Act . The case highlights a pattern of disregard for the law and a recalcitrant behavior , despite previous assurances and commitments to stop.
The National Parks Board (NParks) presented video evidence in court, showcasing Shamla's consistent feeding of pigeons, often at night, which drew large flocks to the area. This behavior led to the accumulation of fines and ultimately the court's decision.\Evidence presented by the prosecution detailed Shamla's actions. NParks officers documented her scattering food, including grain and bread, at Block 62B Lorong 4, Toa Payoh, between July 2025 and January 2026. This behavior mirrored the same actions that resulted in a prior S$1,200 fine in May 2025. The videos captured her standing amidst flocks of pigeons, as well as throwing food on the ground. Other videos showed her from a distance, with the birds converging around her. The prosecutor emphasized the accused’s repeated offenses, including her initial conviction in May of the prior year, during which she gave a personal undertaking not to reoffend, which she broke within a month. Furthermore, she had approached her Member of Parliament (MP), expressing remorse and promising to stop, only to be caught committing the same offense a few days later. This suggested a calculated unwillingness to abide by the law and the penalties it provided.\The court considered Shamla’s age, but ultimately emphasized the necessity of deterrence given her consistent disregard of the law and her previous promises to cease the feeding. The prosecution requested a fine between S$800 and S$1,000 per charge. Shamla, who was unrepresented, inquired if the fine could fall within the S$1,000 to S$2,000 range. She cited her unemployment and lack of medical insurance as a factor. When the final penalty of S$3,200 was announced, she immediately indicated her ability to pay the same day. Under the Wildlife Act, individuals found intentionally feeding wildlife without approval can face fines of up to S$10,000 per charge. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating wildlife protection regulations and the importance of respecting the law, despite personal circumstances. The court emphasized that the repetition and the disregard for prior warnings and punishments had led to the elevated penalty
Pigeon Feeding Singapore Wildlife Act Fine Recalcitrant Behavior Nparks Toa Payoh Law Enforcement Repeat Offender Wildlife
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