A man has been charged for leaving 43 pet cats alone in his apartment for about three months without food and water, resulting in two dying in Singapore.

The two cats that died reportedly suffered “acute deaths” as a result of stress, and were found in “exceedingly poor body (conditions)”.

According to Channel News Asia, CNA, the man is 31-year-old  Muhammad Danial Sukirman.

He was charged on Wednesday, March 6, and faces up to 18 months in jail and/or a fine of up to S$15,000 for each charge of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal.

He has been slapped with 44 charges under the Animals and Birds Act. They comprise mostly of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the cats, with a final charge for failing to attend a meeting with an authorised Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) officer.

According to the charge sheets, the incident took place between August and November 2021 – the apartment was in “poor living condition”, and the cats were not given adequate food and water.

Muhammad Danial is set to return to court on March 27.