08:34 PM Oct 14, 2011
My family and I feed the stray dogs at Lorong Halus Wetland, which are gradually being caught and culled by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority despite the outcry from animal welfare groups and feeders' best efforts.
Singapore has a framework in place to prevent animal cruelty, such as investigating and charging offenders. However, the AVA uses inhumane methods to trap and cull stray dogs, such as electrocution, painful traps and nooses. Is this not animal abuse?
More people are becoming concerned and outspoken about cases of animal abuse. Well, stray dogs are animals, too, and deserve the same proper treatment accorded to pets.
I have heard people say that feeding strays is socially irresponsible because it leads to breeding. This is not true. Breeding occurs because some strays are not sterilised.
However, the solution is not culling. It is catching, sterilising and releasing as well as possibly re-homing the puppies. This is the most humane way to handle our stray dog population.
I would also dispel doubts that stray dogs attack passers-by. My family has been feeding strays at Lorong Halus for the last six months, and these dogs have been nothing but amiable, albeit hesitant and afraid of humans.
Other dog feeders have not observed any attack on passers-by or cyclists, either. It is not based on bias that we defend our dogs but based on fact. Ignorance and prejudice continues to be meted out against these animals.
Finally, I would highlight that for every complaint by an uncompassionate member of the public that leads to stray dogs being culled, there are hundreds of people speaking out against the culling. Why are our voices not being heard?
