LHZB, 28/04/15, p21
[Reply] Be a considerate pet owner
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the National
Environment Agency (NEA) agree with Ms Lin Shu Xian (“No issue with loving
and rearing dogs, so long as one is responsible”; LHZB, 18/04/15, p29) that
pet owners should clean up after their pets in public places. AVA, NEA and
the Town Councils have been educating pet owners on this through various
means, such as road shows, community events, school talks and the
distribution of educational material. Standees are also placed at visible and
strategic locations where animal waste is an issue.
2
In spite of these efforts, this remains a problem due to a small
minority. We urge all dog owners to be considerate and exercise proper
control of their dogs at all times so as not to inconvenience other members of
the community. Where educational efforts fail to achieve the intended
improvement in civic behaviour, NEA will take enforcement action against
irresponsible pet owners who do not clean up after their pets. Under the
Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, an offender is
liable to be fined up to $1,000 for the first offence.
Choo Li Nah (Dr)
Group Director, Communications & Corporate Relations Group
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Tony Teo (Mr)
Director, Environmental Public Health Operations
National Environment Agency
Original Letter
LHZB, 18/04/15, p29
[Letter] No issue with loving and rearing dogs, so long as one is responsible
The writer, who lives at Serangoon Ave 2, observed that many dog owners allow
their dogs to pee and defecate in the neighbourhood without cleaning up after them.
This attracted insects and left a stench, but when confronted, many of them insisted
that there was nothing wrong. While the Town Council cleaned up the stains upon
feedback, the problem kept recurring, and the writer said that cleaning is not the
long-term solution. She highlighted the necessity of raising the sense of
responsibility among dog owners, saying that the authorities could look into
legislation to regulate their behaviour. She also suggested ACRES to look into
boosting public education on the matter.
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Lin Shu Xian