Woman, 68, gets week's jail after failing to pay fine for repeatedly feeding pigeons at her HDB flat

A 68-year-old woman who repeatedly fed pigeons despite multiple warnings from the authorities was fined $3,500 on Wednesday (Nov 4).

The woman reportedly did not pay the fine and was instead sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, reported Shin Min Daily News.

Chen Qingzhu (transliteration), faced seven charges under the Wildlife Act, three of which she admitted to. The remaining four charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Court proceedings revealed that Chen was a repeat offender who had received a warning from the authorities on Sept 25, 2017, for illegally feeding pigeons.

In June and September 2018, she was fined $200 and $400 respectively for further offences. 

Despite the fines, she continued to flout the rules, committing two more offences in October 2019, for which she was fined an additional $400.

Chen subsequently received stern warnings from the authorities on March 31, 2021, as well as Jan 8 and Jan 21, 2022.

Her actions also inconvenienced nearby residents, with neighbours living above and below her HDB unit complaining that pigeons frequently flew into her home, causing disturbances.

On Aug 3, 2025, an enforcement officer conducting surveillance spotted Chen scattering rice on the ground to feed pigeons near Block 755, Yishun Street 22.

The officer approached Chen and instructed her to stop feeding the birds. 

Nevertheless, Chen continued feeding the pigeons and was caught doing so on six more occasions between Jan 23 and June 30 this year, using rice or bread to attract the birds.

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