In a recent incident in Pasir Ris, a pack of wild dogs was observed chasing a jogger along Pasir Ris Drive 3. In response, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has announced its plans to trap and sterilise these dogs as part of their ongoing efforts to manage community animals.
Dr Chang Siow Foong, AVS group director of community animal management, confirmed that AVS was alerted to the incident and is actively taking measures to address the situation.
A TikTok video capturing the incident went viral, showing a man jogging peacefully before being pursued by five barking dogs.
The video was widely shared on various social media platforms.
“We are actively trapping and carrying out surveillance in the area,” said Dr Chang. He further emphasized that AVS is familiar with the pack of dogs and will manage them using their Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme.
Under the TNRM programme, the dogs will be humanely caught, sterilised, and efforts will be made to rehome as many of them as possible.
For those that cannot be rehomed, suitable locations away from residential areas will be identified for their release, according to the media reports.
Since the programme’s launch in 2018, over 3,900 free-roaming dogs have been trapped, with a success rate of over 60% in terms of rehoming or fostering them.
This incident is the latest in a series involving stray dogs this year.
In a separate incident on September 8, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) successfully captured two stray dogs in Sengkang’s Fernvale Lane. These dogs were part of a group of three canines that have been terrorizing cats in various locations, including Ang Mo Kio.
In February this year, cat feeders reported that the pack had brutally killed around 30 cats in Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon North, and Jalan Kayu. Since then, the dogs have ventured even further, reaching Paya Lebar and causing an estimated death toll of around 50 cats.
Capturing wild dogs is no easy task, as they are elusive and often avoid traps, explained Dr Chang.
When asked by CNA, he mentioned that dogs are territorial animals and may exhibit barking or chasing behavior when encountering humans or other animals within their territories. However, not all dogs display such characteristics with the same intensity.
Dr Chang advised the public to avoid staring at free-roaming dogs and to speak softly when in their presence.
If approached, individuals should walk away slowly without making any sudden movements. For assistance, the public can contact NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 or get in touch with AVS.
As the situation in Pasir Ris unfolds, AVS continues to monitor the area and work towards a resolution that benefits both the community and the dogs involved.
Speaking to ST, Dr Chang said “Dogs are territorial animals and may bark in response to humans or other animals which are within or are approaching their territories. Additionally, they may possess an innate instinct to chase and catch things”.
“Although some free-roaming dogs may chase after fast-moving objects, they tend to be wary of humans and usually stay out of their way”.
“They may also approach people, using their sense of smell to gather information about their surroundings.”
The public should avoid staring at free-roaming dogs when encountering them, and should speak softly and walk away slowly without making any sudden movements. Anyone who needs assistance may call the AVS Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600 or send an e-mail to www.avs.gov.sg/feedback
During a parliamentary session on November 7, 2023, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development, Tan Kiat How, responded to a question regarding the management of urban wildlife and specifically addressed the recent sighting of a crocodile near Marina East Park.
Tan stated that crocodiles pose a threat to public safety due to their status as apex predators and stealthy opportunistic feeders.
Therefore, the National Parks Board (NParks) assesses if there is an immediate risk to public safety and will trap the crocodile if necessary, attempting to relocate or rehome it.
However, in the case of the crocodile in question, Tan stated that the Mandai Wildlife Group determined it would not be able to rehome the animal due to various factors, such as the impact on the zoo’s population and planning.
As a result, if there are no suitable options for relocation or rehoming, the crocodile would be humanely euthanized in accordance with international standards.
This decision is made in the interest of public safety, as the crocodile may return to populated areas along Singapore’s coastline if not euthanized. A veterinarian performed the euthanasia procedure.
Images : TikTok/Garygaryocp & Facebook
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