An unusual confrontation between an 81-year-old man and a 46-year-old man occurred along the Alexandra Park Connector on the evening of August 29, after a dispute over a dog’s faeces.
The younger man, surnamed Qiu, alleged that the elderly man had failed to pick up after his dog, prompting Qiu to ask him to clean up. In response, the older man allegedly struck Qiu with his bicycle, injuring his ankle. Qiu reported that the elderly man did not have any plastic bags on hand, suggesting he had no intention of cleaning up after his pet.
Conflicting Accounts and Police Involvement
Shin Min Daily News reported that video footage captured the elderly man cycling while his dog walked on a leash. When Qiu pointed out the dog’s mess, the older man claimed he did not notice it and argued that if Qiu saw it, he should pick it up himself. The verbal exchange escalated before the alleged physical confrontation occurred.
Qiu lodged a police report following the incident and temporarily held onto the elderly man’s bicycle to prevent him from leaving. Police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at Block 83 Strathmore Avenue at around 5:05 pm. Fortunately, Qiu sustained only minor injuries and did not require medical attention.
Additional Allegations and Community Concerns
In addition to the dispute, Qiu accused the elderly man of damaging a National Environment Agency (NEA) signboard along the park connector, which advised dog owners to clean up after their pets and warned of fines up to S$1,000 for non-compliance.
Members of a local dog owners’ group chat expressed concern over the elderly man’s walking style, noting that his dog leash appeared unusually short, almost as if the dog was being dragged. While none had witnessed him fail to pick up after his dog, they felt the walking method was unsafe.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over public cleanliness and responsible pet ownership, with authorities reminding pet owners to always clean up after their animals and follow park regulations.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily NewsÂ