SPCA Reports Elderly Woman to Authorities After Video Shows Cane-Waving Incident Toward Dog at Pek Kio Market

An unsettling scene at Pek Kio Market & Food Centre has prompted public concern after a video surfaced showing an elderly woman scolding and waving a cane at her pet dog. Captured by a diner, Ming, and posted on TikTok, the video shows the woman striking a stool near the dog and raising the cane as if to hit the animal, though she does not actually make contact. “This felt so wrong and stressful to watch,” Ming wrote, urging local animal welfare groups to investigate.

In response to the video, the Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stated on Instagram (Nov. 10) that it had already escalated the case to authorities. This is not the first time the woman has come under scrutiny for her treatment of animals. SPCA’s executive director, Aarthi Sankar, said their team and volunteers from the Moulmein-Cairnhill Constituency Office had previously visited her in May, providing guidance on pet care and issuing a warning that further action would follow any continued concerns.

Opinions among netizens were mixed, with some decrying the treatment as traumatic for the animal, while others viewed it as a form of discipline. However, SPCA’s official stance reinforces that pets should only be managed using humane and force-free methods to avoid causing fear and anxiety.

Under the Animals and Birds Act, individuals found guilty of cruelty toward animals, including inflicting terror, could face fines up to $15,000 and jail time of up to 18 months for a first offense, with even steeper penalties for subsequent offenses. SPCA urges anyone witnessing suspected animal abuse to report it immediately through their hotline, website, or email.