Article on dogs in public areas: Pet owners bite back

Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times 9 Dec 07;

LAST week's Sunday Times article 'Has Singapore gone to the dogs?' elicited a strong response from dog owners and other members of the public.

As of yesterday, there were more than 300 comments on The Straits Times website's discussion board, with debate continuing on several other forums. There were also several letters to the Straits Times Forum page.

The Sunday Times report featured dog owners who unleash their dogs at the beach and allow them to sit on chairs in coffee shops and restaurants.

Both actions are illegal unless the space is otherwise designated. Last year, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority fined 150 owners for not leashing their dogs in public.

The National Environment Agency has also fined five pet owners for taking their dogs into food outlets this year.

Most notably, dog owners stepped up to defend their furry friends.

Some of them felt that present rules were too harsh and called for laws that would allow dogs to have more freedom in densely populated Singapore.

Mr Rohan Langley, 35, a project manager, strongly advocated the designation of a proper dog beach that would allow dogs to strengthen their hips and muscles through swimming.

Student Melody Tay, 21, called for more dog runs to be built as current spaces are inaccessible and inconvenient to pet owners.

Ms Tay pointed out that dogs at cafes were no more unhygienic than stray cats and birds skulking around alfresco eateries.

Some readers, however, felt the laws were not without merit.

Said a 65-year-old retiree who wanted to be known only as Mr Phua: 'At the end of the day, human beings are the priority. The laws are in place for a reason and people should not violate them.'

Retiree Heng Teck Seng, 53, also urged the authorities to continue to enforce rules and regulations. He added that dog owners must be mindful of the religious and health issues in pet ownership.

Ultimately, most readers put the onus on owners to be more disciplined in handling their dogs.

Said student Ida Ng, 23: 'Dogs can still be kept at bay when they're not on a leash as long as they are properly trained. Owners are at fault if their dogs create a nuisance.'

The editor-in-chief of Pets Magazine, Mr Grayson Cheng, said that while pet laws should be revised to cater to the needs of today's pet owners, ill-trained animals could also cause danger or disturbance under more tolerant rules.

The executive officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Ms Deirdre Moss, emphasised the need for owners to comply with the law.

'When a dog is badly behaved, it is usually a reflection of the owners failing to provide adequate training. Keeping to the rules and having a well-behaved dog promotes goodwill and kindness to animals,' she said.