10 strays find homes in HDB flats; measures in place to prevent conflicts
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 15 Oct 2012
TEN stray dogs have found homes in Housing Board flats after a pilot programme to allow them in began in April.
To ensure that the dogs are not a nuisance to other residents, the Ministry of National Development and animal welfare groups have drawn up guidelines for owners.
They must make sure the dogs go for basic obedience training, and must agree to abide by certain rules.
The ASD found new homes for seven of the dogs, while the rest were adopted from the SPCA.
Currently, HDB dwellers cannot keep medium-sized dogs - the most common category for strays.
Only about 60 toy breeds - dogs that usually stand no more than 40cm in height (measured up to the shoulder) and are no heavier than 10kg - are allowed in such flats.
Strays that qualify for this project have to be not more than 50cm tall, weigh no more than 15kg and have the right temperament for HDB living.
The ASD and SPCA submitted the proposal on stray dogs to an inter-agency task force, which was formed in July last year to review pet ownership and stray animal management policies.
Last November, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, who was then Minister of State for National Development, announced that stray dogs and cats will be allowed in HDB flats. He said he hoped the move would alleviate the problem of strays.
The number of stray dogs that can be housed in HDB flats under this scheme is capped at 10 each month.
According to animal welfare groups, Singapore has about 8,000 strays.
Last year, 1,500 or so stray dogs were caught by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which works closely with the animal welfare groups to find homes for the stray dogs. Of the 1,500 strays, 100 were re-homed or claimed by their owners. The rest were put to sleep.
SPCA executive director Corinne Fong said: "We recognise the high-density living conditions of HDB home owners and are taking pains to ensure that the right-sized dogs are adopted. Ten dogs are a good start and we are fairly optimistic."
In May, the National Parks Board worked with the AVA and several other animal welfare groups to launch a separate pilot project to catch and re-home stray dogs in Ang Mo Kio. An enclosure was put up at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West to capture the dogs.
So far, 10 stray dogs have been rounded up and two have been re-homed.
However, these programmes have worried some residents.
Straits Times reader Ng Chee Kheon wrote to the Forum Page last month calling for the agencies to "tread carefully" and study their implications.
It was a view echoed by retired teacher J.S. Riar, 70. "For private properties, it is not so bad, but there are small common spaces like lifts and corridors in HDB flats. It will cause more friction between neighbours," he said.
The ministry and animal welfare groups told The Straits Times that they have put in place measures to address such concerns.
Those who adopt the dogs must sign a Code of Responsible Behaviour (see below) to acknowledge that they will take into account the sensitivities of their neighbours and the environment.
All potential adopters will also be screened first, and a mediation framework to resolve disputes amicably has also been drawn up.
The animal welfare groups may advise owners on effective dog-handling techniques to minimise any inconvenience to their neighbours. Should conflicts arise, grassroots leaders or community mediators can step in to mediate between neighbours.
The Government will review the project next April.
Among those who adopted the strays is human resource executive Stephanie Wong, 22, who lives in a four-room flat in Toh Yi Drive.
She took in Yuki, a three-year-old stray, in July. She hopes her neighbours will realise that "it is not the size that matters but having the confidence to handle the dog well".
Cats, too, will soon be allowed in HDB flats when another pilot project - in Chong Pang - kicks off later this year.
Details of this project, which will be led by the Cat Welfare Society, are still being worked out.
Guidelines for owners
HDB dwellers who want to adopt medium-sized stray dogs under a pilot scheme must agree to observe a Code of Responsible Behaviour. They must:
- Be in control of the dog at all times when encountering people at corridors, lift landings, stairs or confined spaces, as well as at void decks and communal facilities such as covered walkways, playgrounds and pavilions.
- Use the stairs instead of the lift if practical, or wait for the next empty lift.
- Be sensitive towards people who have a fear of or aversion to dogs, and adopt a respectful approach to the sensitivities of others.
- Enrol the dog in a compulsory basic obedience course that covers methods of proper handling and adequate understanding of the dog's personality, to ensure that it does not become a public nuisance.
- Ensure that the dog does not bark incessantly, and take immediate action to remedy such issues.
- Ensure that the dog does not run out onto the common corridors unleashed or without a handler, by keeping the gate closed at all times.
- Ensure that the dog's behaviour does not frighten or shock passers-by who walk past the door.
- Ensure cleanliness within the flat and immediate surroundings such as the corridors, and ensure issues such as fur shedding, dog odour and defaecation do not become a problem and a nuisance to neighbours.
Resident ensures adopted dog doesn't scare or annoy others
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 15 Oct 2012
WHENEVER Ms Celine Ramasamy takes Maya, her recently adopted stray dog, out for a walk, she waits for an empty lift.
The 51-year-old executive also makes it a point to keep Maya away from young children or neighbours who may be averse to dogs during the daily jaunts.
"Some may be afraid of dogs and we don't want to make them feel uncomfortable," said Ms Ramasamy, who lives in a five-room Housing Board flat.
HDB dwellers like Ms Ramasamy who have adopted stray dogs need to observe a strict Code of Responsible Behaviour, mainly to ensure that the dogs do not scare or annoy others in the neighbourhood.
Maya, however, was hardly the picture of aggression or danger when this reporter visited Ms Ramasamy's Telok Blangah flat more than two weeks ago.
The dog was sitting comfortably on the couch with the family, but retreated to hide under the dining table when I tried to pet it.
Nary a bark was heard.
The family used to have a much smaller shih tzu that was more of a handful than Maya.
"It's not about whether the dog is small or big, it is about how you take care of and train it," Ms Ramasamy said.
Standing at 45cm tall, seven-month-old Maya may seem imposing to some.
That was why rules on HDB dwellers adopting stray dogs included restrictions on size: They cannot be more than 50cm tall or weigh more than 15kg.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals executive director Corinne Fong said how big a dog is likely to grow can be gauged from six months onwards. Therefore, all stray dogs to be adopted in HDB flats have to be at least six months old.
Ms Ramasamy's neighbour, Madam K.C. Koh, said she has no complaints about the dog so far.
"It looks quite big but I think it's tame. I haven't heard it barking. I don't think it matters whether it is a stray or not, as long as the owners handle it well," said the 46-year-old beautician.
However, she said she preferred not to share the lift with dogs. "I don't like them sniffing my legs. If they come in, I would shield my daughter by standing in between the dog and her," she said.
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