NParks catches 4 strays in humane project to prepare them to be pets
By Miranda Yeo, The Straits Times, 12 May 2012
PARK rangers have used food to lure stray dogs into a fenced-off enclosure as part of a more humane approach to dealing with the problem.
In the past, captured strays had been put down, sparking complaints from animal welfare groups.
The trial run by the National Parks Board (NParks) involved a kinder method in which food was used to lure the dogs into a 25m by 15m area.
They were then rounded up humanely and are being housed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), where staff are working to get them accustomed to human contact.
The dogs will be assessed continually and fostered only when they are fully comfortable with people, said the society's executive director Corinne Fong.
The dogs will be assessed continually and fostered only when they are fully comfortable with people, said the society's executive director Corinne Fong.
'It's important that fosterers step up and help to relieve pressure on the shelters,' she added. 'It also allows the dogs to get more accustomed to human contact, which will reduce their socialisation time.'
The test run, which was carried out in Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West earlier this month, succeeded in rounding up four strays out of an estimated 20 in the area. It was conducted in collaboration with animal welfare groups.
Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) president Ricky Yeo described the new solution as a 'more efficient means' of using the financial resources available.
He said that although the fence cost NParks close to $5,000, the amount might have otherwise been spent catching and culling the dogs in an inhumane way - which can amount to nearly $450 per animal.
The park was chosen for the test run after residents made more than 30 complaints over the past six months. The strays had been barking aggressively, howling at night and chasing park-goers.
NParks assistant director Tay Boon Sin said the outcome would have been better had onlookers not crowded around the enclosure while the animals were being rounded up.
'Having spectators worsened the situation as it caused the captured dogs to become agitated, making it more difficult to calm the strays down,' he added.
In each operation, a team of park rangers keep vigil around the enclosure all night. Before that, they trawl the area to cut off all other sources of food.
Mr Tay said that a no-feeding policy had been enforced and residents caught giving the dogs food would be fined.
'We are very pleased that NParks has taken this route because it is very aligned with our mission to treat the animals humanely,' said Ms Fong. 'The next crucial step really is for the public to step forward to help us foster the dogs so they can have a new lease of life.'
NParks will be assessing the project weekly and may adapt the same method to other areas in future.
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