The Straits Times
July 2, 2009
Pet Point
The law says
'Pets cannot be brought to any licensed food retail outlets for public hygiene reasons.'
MR S. SATISH APPOO, Director, Environmental Health Department, National Environment Agency: 'I refer to Mr Lawrence Mui's letter last Friday, 'Have a section for pet lovers in eateries'. Under the Environmental Public Health Regulations, pets such as live animals or birds cannot be brought to any licensed food retail outlets for public hygiene reasons. The only exemption from this prohibition are guide dogs used by the visually handicapped. Operators who wish to allow pets in their food outlets may obtain a 'pet cafe' licence. For such a licensed outlet, the operator is required to put in place measures to address any hygiene concerns associated with pets. The Swensen's restaurant at Marina Square is not a pet cafe. We thank Mr Mui for his suggestion and appreciate his understanding of this restriction aimed at protecting the interests of the general public.'
Exasperated resident says
'The constant noises they created, the mess from droppings and wanton breeding made life hell for us.'
MR ERNEST CHUA: 'The culprits behind the act of animal cruelty in Tuesday's report ('Coma-inducing drug found in planted food') were certainly wrong. They not only endangered other animals like dogs and birds, but also created danger for children in the condominium. Be that as it may, we should also consider the problem created by stray cats or irresponsible pet owners. I lived in a house where we were tormented by stray cats at all times of the day and night. The constant noises they created, the mess from their droppings and their wanton breeding made life hell for us. When I complained to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, it said it could not help much as I lived in a private estate. It provided me with a cat cage that proved ineffective and we finally moved to a high-floor apartment. I urge the authorities to educate cat lovers to feed cats responsibly and sterilise all cats they feed.'
Write to stforum@sph.com.sg
and suggest that
AVA also provides FREE STERILISATION of instead of just FREE KILLING of cats for complainants such as Mr Ernest Chua.
Please include your full name (as in IC), your address and a telephone contact number. For women, please indicate Miss, Mrs or Ms.
