Repeat Offender Fined S$9,000 for Illegal Pigeon Feeding in Singapore Following Prior Conviction

A 60-year-old woman is fined S$9,000 for repeatedly feeding pigeons in Singapore, ignoring a previous conviction and citing "compassion" for the birds.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 4:18 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

Escalating Penalties for Persistent Feeding

The Singapore State Courts have imposed a significant financial penalty on a resident for the repeated illegal feeding of wildlife. Yuen Li Shuen, 60, was fined S$9,000 on Thursday, March 19, 2026, after pleading guilty to six charges under the Wildlife Act, with an additional 11 charges taken into consideration. This conviction follows a previous fine of S$4,800 handed down in April 2025 for the same offense. The court's decision to increase the fine—from S$1,200 to S$1,500 per proceeded charge—reflects a judicial effort to deter what the prosecution labeled as "clear recalcitrant behavior."

Surveillance and Admission of Guilt

The National Parks Board (NParks) initiated a surveillance operation after receiving reports from the Tanjong Pagar Town Council that Yuen was continuing her feeding routine twice daily. Between May and July 2025, investigators observed her feeding pigeons in various public spaces across Tanjong Pagar and Chai Chee. During the investigation, Yuen admitted to the acts and acknowledged her awareness that feeding wildlife is a criminal offense in Singapore. She maintained that her actions were driven by a sense of compassion for the birds, despite the legal prohibitions.

Public Health and Environmental Concerns

The NParks prosecutor underscored the severe public health risks associated with the unchecked feeding of pigeons. Pigeons are known carriers of diseases, and their droppings can significantly contaminate the urban environment. Furthermore, the concentration of food in residential and public areas attracts disease-carrying pests, such as rats and cockroaches. The prosecution specifically highlighted that feeding pigeons from a residential unit directly impacts neighbors, increasing the likelihood of infestations and disease transmission in high-density housing areas.