In Pasir Ris, Singapore, a recent incident involving a pack of wild dogs has raised concerns among the residents and authorities. The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has taken swift action to address this issue, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Issue of Wild Dogs in Pasir Ris
The incident that prompted AVS’s intervention occurred when a jogger found himself pursued by a group of free-roaming dogs along Pasir Ris Drive 3.
The disturbing scene was captured on TikTok and quickly went viral. The community became alarmed, and the question of how to handle these dogs arose.
Dr. Chang’s Response
Dr. Chang Siow Foong, the AVS group director of community animal management, addressed the issue. He confirmed that AVS was aware of the pack of dogs in question and was actively taking measures to handle the situation.
AVS has a structured program in place to address the issue of free-roaming dogs. The Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) program is designed to humanely manage these dogs. The first step is to trap them and then sterilize them.
The TNRM program has shown promising results. Since its launch in 2018, over 3,900 free-roaming dogs have been trapped. Remarkably, more than 60% of these dogs have been successfully rehomed or fostered. This program highlights AVS’s commitment to finding humane solutions to address the issue of stray dogs in the community.
Previous Incidents with Stray Dogs
This is not the first incident involving stray dogs in Singapore this year. On a previous occasion, AVS captured two dogs that were believed to have killed dozens of cats and behaved aggressively towards residents. These incidents underscore the importance of managing the population of free-roaming dogs.
Capturing wild dogs is no easy task. They are known to roam widely, be elusive, and avoid traps. Dr. Chang acknowledges these challenges, highlighting that dogs are territorial animals and may react aggressively to perceived threats.
Dr. Chang also sheds light on the behavior of free-roaming dogs. While some dogs may display a strong instinct to chase fast-moving objects, not all of them exhibit this behavior. In fact, many free-roaming dogs tend to be wary of humans and usually avoid direct contact.