Dec 19, 2007
AVA checks estates and acts on tip-offs on dogs
I REFER to the letter, 'Check estates, parks to spot unleashed dogs' (ST, Dec 10), by Ms Goh Ee Ca.
Upon receipt of feedback from the public on dogs straying or dogs not being muzzled, officers of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will request details such as the usual time and location where the dogs are observed to stray, as well as the address of the dog owner, if available.
Such information is useful in helping our officers conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action. Even if a caller is unable to tell us the address of the dog owner, our officers will still visit the site to investigate and take enforcement action where needed.
In addition, AVA also conducts routine inspection visits to housing estates and other public places.
Last year, 135 dogs were found straying and appropriate enforcement action was taken against the owners.
We would like to remind owners that all dogs must be leashed in public places. In addition to being leashed, the following breeds of dogs and their crosses must also be muzzled in public places: Pit Bull (including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (including the Belgian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd Dog) and Mastiff (including the Bull Mastiff, Perro De Presa Canario, Cane Corso and Dogue De Bordeaux).
Any person who contravenes the leashing and muzzling rule shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each of the offences.
Goh Shih Yong
Assistant Director Corporate Communications for Chief Executive Officer Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Recently there are many argument on our Main Stream Newspapers regarding dogs being free to run about in pubic places.
In Singapore, dogs are to be leased when in public places. However these law is not really enforced fully.
Recently there had been a attacked on a young girl by a dog.
This sparks off debates between dog lovers and the general publics.
AVA does not seem to do anything about the situation. They just tell us, the law is there so blame it on your people if you got killed by a dog since you did not report him in the first place.
Check out the standard of the letter to the forum by a senior civil servant from AVA.
Firstly I think the letter does not serve any purpose except telling what the public already knows.
In the 1st paragraph Goh Shih Yong just states what AVA will do when they receive a call from the publics on dogs. Note if you see a dogs not being muzzled or leased in the park. Not only you have to note the time and places at that moment, you also have to ASKED THE OWNER HIS ADDRESS. How clever is that?!
So if not address given by you. Then you can’t blame AVA for not following up when you kid is being mauled by a dog.
The letter then went on to tell people what AVA is doing and also petted themselves on the back by telling people they found 135 straying dogs.
Then the letter ends with a long list of dogs which must be muzzled in public places.
Consider this scenario:
You: Excuse me sir, I notice your dog is not muzzled. May I know what species it belong to?
Dog Owner: I not going to tell you.
You: After check the “breed of dog” book which I happen to be carrying with me now. I think you dog is a Perro De Presa Canario. And under the law and AVA guide line, you dog must be muzzled in public.
Dog Owner: I don’t want leh. What can you do?
You: In that case, I have to call AVA and report you. May I have your address please.
Dog Owner: Max KILLED!!!
