Indian-origin woman fined Rs 2.2 lakh in Singapore after being caught feeding pigeons

A Singapore court has fined a 71-year-old woman S$3,200 (about Rs 2.27 lakh) for repeatedly feeding wild pigeons, despite earlier court warnings and a prior fine for the same offence. The woman pleaded guilty to multiple charges under the Wildlife Act after being caught feeding birds nine times over six months in a public housing estate, according to reports.

The case has drawn attention for its unusual mix of persistence, empty promises and flocks of pigeons returning again and again to the same spot.

Repeat offence despite earlier fine

The woman, Sanmugamnathan Shamla, a Singaporean resident of the Toa Payoh housing estate, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Wildlife Act. Five other similar incidents were taken into consideration by the court.


This was not her first brush with the law. In May last year, the court fined her S$1,200 for illegally feeding wild birds and for interfering with a pigeon-trapping operation carried out by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks). At that time, she had told the court she would not repeat the offence.

However, according to prosecutors, she returned to feeding pigeons within just one month.

Nine incidents caught on camera

The court heard that Shamla fed pigeons grain and bread on nine occasions between July 2025 and January 2026. Prosecutors presented video footage showing her surrounded by large flocks of birds near her flat in Toa Payoh, one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates.

An NParks prosecutor told the court that Shamla knew it was illegal to feed wild birds but continued to do so repeatedly over several months.

‘Persistent disregard for the law,’ says prosecutor

Addressing the court, the prosecutor described Shamla as a repeat offender and said stronger punishment was needed.

“The accused stands before you as a repeat offender,” the prosecutor said, adding that Shamla has a “persistent disregard for the law.”

The prosecutor also noted that Shamla had even approached her Member of Parliament to express regret, but was caught feeding birds again just three days later. This, the prosecution argued, showed that earlier warnings and fines had failed to deter her.

The prosecutor sought a fine ranging from S$800 to S$1,000 per charge, stressing that only a “meaningful financial penalty” would stop her behaviour.

‘I will make up the balance… by community service’

Shamla, who did not have a lawyer, told the court that she was unemployed and did not have medical insurance. She requested a lower fine.

“I will make up the balance... by community service,” she said, asking if the total fine could fall within the “1,000 to 2,000 dollar brackets.”

However, the judge imposed a total fine of S$3,200. On hearing the amount, Shamla said she would pay the full sum on the same day.

As a repeat offender who intentionally fed wildlife without written approval, Shamla could have been fined up to S$10,000 for each charge under Singapore law.

(Inputs from PTI)