After being arrested and released on bail, Lin reoffended on Dec 26, 2021 by catching a cat and slamming it against a wall, before he lost his grip and the animal fled.
Lin had received psychological treatment by that time, and admitted to wanting to “test if he could control his urges to hurt cats”.
This cat was rescued by community cat feeders. It was hospitalised and received surgery at a vet.
Prosecutors relied on the case of Yeo Poh Kwee for their sentencing position for Lin.
Yeo was convicted of running down about 20 floors of stairs while dragging his poodle, which was on a leash, and abandoning it.
The dog hit walls, floors and stairs along the way, and died after suffering multiple injuries.
In 2017, Yeo was given the maximum jail term of 18 months for animal cruelty. This was the stiffest punishment ever given for that offence, and formed part of his total sentence of 20 months’ jail.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Regina Lim argued that Lin abused more animals than Yeo over a longer period of time, took pains to hide his offences, and reoffended while on bail.
When arguing for his sentence, she cited the “deliberate and deplorable brutality” of Lin’s actions, the significant degree of harm and the strong public interest in ensuring that animals are not abused.
However, Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh said that Yeo’s case was not helpful for sentencing Lin as the two offenders differed in culpability and harm caused.
Appeals against decisions made by the State Courts are heard in the High Court.
The maximum punishment for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal is 18 months in jail, a S$15,000 (US$11,000) fine, or both.
