Selected Reading Material: Crime - Animal Abuse
PART 1
Read the following passage and take note of the underlined content. DO NOT skip reading as it is important to see how the underlined content is used in the news article. Animal Abuse & Neglect The beagle lay at the corner of a balcony, its snout and front legs were bounded with masking tape. Abrasion sores on its legs after the tape was removed showed how the dog had struggled to get free. Officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) investigating the case found out that the owners bound the dog, Dimples, each time they left for work because they could not control it otherwise. How long Dimples had been living in such conditions could not be ascertained, but “based on the condition of the skin where the masking tape was used, it was for quite a while,” said the animal welfare group. The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) slapped a composite fine on the owners for their actions. While most people believe that animal abuse means causing intentional harm, neglect is a “passive form of abuse”, noted SPCA’s education executive, Selina Sebastian. Neglect occurs when an owner fails to provide adequate care for the animal in terms of shelter or food and water, veterinary care and humane care and treatment, according to the SPCA. Severe animal neglect can be painful and even fatal to the pet, it cautioned. Leaving your pet dog unattended in the car for hours, keeping a dog or cat leashed or caged for long periods of time, or cramming rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs in too-small cages -- all constitute animal neglect. “People don’t think about the responsibilities before getting a pet. They just like the idea of a pet,” she said, “And when they have to take care of it, they realise it not as easy and (the pet) gets neglected.” “Many people fail to understand that animal neglect is as bad as animal abuse as the animal has to go through a long period of food-, love- and care-deprived days, causing damage both physically and mentally,” said Tan. The SPCA will be launching a new campaign against animal neglect in 2012 to further highlight this message. Under the Animals and Birds Act, anyone who is found guilty of such an offence including abandonment of any animal, can be imprisoned for up to 12 months, fined up to $10,000, or both. Modified from: 'SPCA sees more cases of animal abuse, neglect', Alicia Wong, Yahoo! Newsroom – Thu, Sep 15, 2011 PART 2
After reading the above article, attempt the following vocabulary exercise: Vocabulary Exercise: Selected Reading Material: Animal Abuse Did you get your answers correct? Are you confident using these words correctly? |
PART 3
Can you fill in the missing details? Use the information, words and phrases learnt from the above news article to help you. Text Type: Personal Diary Entry 18th Sep 2013 Dear Diary, I can't believe my dreams have finally come true! We have a new addition to the family! Coco! Mother and father adopted Coco at the SPCA this morning. We were so excited to meet him! Coco is 3 years old. He is a short-haired, mixed-breed, medium-sized (1)________________. Although he is already an adult, he is full of energy and is very, very playful! Coco is simply adorable! I couldn't believe my ears when mother told us that Coco's previous owner had abandoned him in an industrial park! When investigators from the SPCA found Coco several months ago, he had (2)____________________________ on his snout and legs. The vet suspected that someone must have tied him up so that he could not bark or escape. Coco must have struggle violently, resulting in those injuries. I was so infuriated when I heard his painful past! This makes me want to shower him with even more love and affection! Father says that some pet owners make rash decisions about getting a pet. They do not consider if they can manage their daily lives and activities and, at the same time, provide their pet with a conducive and loving home. Father told us that (3)_______________ our pet is also a form of abuse. Not only must we provide Coco with food, water and shelter, we must also spend time grooming his fur and playing with him. I don't think that is going to be a problem! I love how Coco lies down quietly, while gently wagging his tail, when we brush his coat or scratch the back of his ears! I've read in the news that some pet owners leave their pets (4)________________in their cars while they go shopping. Do they know that their pets can die of heatstroke or suffocation? I think anyone who would like to own a pet needs to obtain (5)__________________ knowledge about caring for their pets before being allowed to buy or adopt one. My sister and I have already planned out how we will take turns to take care of Coco. We will make sure that Coco will always feel the warmth and love he deserves! Yawn! I have to go to bed now! Goodnight! Suggested Answers
(1) beagle (2) abrasions / abrasion sores (3) neglecting (4) unattended (5) adequate |