Unauthorised dog trap is not ours: Jurong Town Council

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/unauthorised-dog-trap-not-ours-town-council

Accusations and anger have surfaced online after a stray dog was strangled last week in Bukit Batok by an unauthorised trap, with some thinking that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) was behind it, while others blamed the professional dog trapper engaged by Jurong Town Council.

The town council has issued an online notice stating that the trap was not set by its dog trapper.

Town council Chairman and Jurong GRC Member of Parliament David Ong said the assumptions were “disheartening” as the town council had worked closely with animal welfare groups for the past two months to humanely trap the stray dogs that reside beside Bukit Batok MRT Station.

The AVA also posted on its Facebook page that it did not conduct any recent control operations in the area, and that it is investigating the case.

Jurong Town Council started its dog-trapping operation in April after an earlier aborted effort that drew protest from animal welfare groups. Earlier, residents had complained that the dogs, which reside in the forested area beside the train station, were harassing passers-by and barking loudly at night.

The town council had stopped the operation last Wednesday, before the ill-fated incident.

If the strangling incident has thrown up any lesson, it is this: Constant monitoring and experienced hands are needed when trapping animals.

The fatal trap appears to have been the work of inexperienced people who had no intention of harming the dogs. It was set on a steep slope, causing the trapped dog to be strangled when it lost its footing.

An AVA spokesperson said all external contractors engaged in control operations are expected to follow guidelines jointly developed by the AVA and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Individuals who set traps to capture dogs will be charged with animal cruelty if the animal is found to be injured. Anyone charged in court and found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed up to 12 months, or both, she added.

In conclusion, Mr Ong added: “We will monitor the situation and if the stray dog population grows and poses a threat to residents’ well-being, we will work with the dog welfare groups to round up some of these strays and rehome them to shelters.”