. One is gender discrimination: Why must the cat abuser be a man? Women too are capable of abuse - the majority of maid abusers are females.
Also, why must the cat abuser 'live alone'?
In psychiatry, 'antisocial' is defined as 'pertaining to a pattern of behaviour in which social norms and the rights of others are persistently violated'.
Living alone is only a personal preference, and does not violate the rights of others.
In fact, by this definition of antisocial, a group of gangsters 'socialising' together can still be regarded as antisocial, while an eccentric man who lives alone will not be considered an antisocial.
I understand that the psychologists gave this profile just to make it easier to identify potential suspects in the area.
However, it is very unfair to stereotype the cat abuser as being young, male and antisocial, without evidence.
I have a brother with mild autism, and he fits the description of 'young, male, able-bodied and antisocial', to an extent.
However, he is a pet lover, and he takes his dog for a walk almost every day.
Dawn Goh Noi Swee (Ms)
Mete out stiffer penalties
I READ with overwhelming sorrow about the recent spate of cat killings in Jurong East, so soon after two cat abusers were punished for their crimes.
If the judicial system had made an example out of the two by giving them stiffer sentences, we would not have another cat torturer out there, so blatantly abusing cats so soon.
Thara Tsounkeu (Mrs)
Ad comes across as anti-veggie
I WAS crossing the road after leaving Dhoby Ghaut MRT station on Aug 28 at about 12.35pm when a bus stopped directly in front of Park Mall.
I saw an advertisement on the bus with a picture of a huge burger and the sentence, 'A Vegetarian's Worst Nightmare'.
At first, I thought that it was an advertisement to promote vegetarianism. But as I tried again to figure out the exact message, I realised the advertisement was for a burger chain that promotes meat eating and the words used discriminated against vegetarians.
As a vegetarian, I never discriminate against or lecture my meat-eating friends.
Nowadays, it is not difficult to find halal food establish- ments and non-vegetarian restaurants that provide vegetarian options.
By having all these conveniences, such people can dine with their majority of friends who take meat.
I am dismayed that our bus operator allows this sort of advertisement as it indirectly discriminates against vegetarians.
Christine Yeo Boon Yee (Miss)
Have welcome signs for pets
I READ with interest the article, 'Signs for family-friendly shops' (ST, Sept13). These shops cater to the needs of babies and the elderly, but let us not forget another member of the family - the family pet.
My family owns a dog and we have a hard time going out together as a 'family', because, other than pet shops, groomers and vets, most shopping centres and restaurants do not allow pets.
Pets are less ostracised in countries like the United States and Britain.
It would be great if shops and restaurants that welcome pets can display a sign to indicate so.
Theresa Lim Siew Leng (Ms)
Gaming centres breaking rule
RECENTLY, when I went to a computer gaming centre to celebrate a close friend's birthday, I noticed a bunch of rowdy students, still in uniform, playing games.
Hours later, when I left the centre around 6pm, the students were still there.
From what I know, students are not allowed to enter gaming centres in their uniforms before 6.30pm.
Some gaming centres are blatantly disregarding this
rule, possibly because they stand to profit from these students.
Playing computer games can help relieve stress if it is done in a controlled manner. But it could also become an addiction.
Students should focus on their studies and not be consumed by computer gaming.
The authorities should be more strict in enforcing the rule.
Paul Kwa Yujie
