NParks to trap and rehabilitate stray dogs in Ang Mo Kio

AsiaOne Tuesday, May 01, 2012 The National Parks Board (NParks) is piloting a project at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West aimed at trapping stray dogs in a more humane fashion. It has set up a 15m by 25m fenced-up enclosure on a slope there, where it hopes to lure and feed the 20 strays which have become a nuisance to residents. After the dogs are rounded up, they will be sent to shelters, NParks' assistant director Tay Boon Sin said NParks will also work with three animal welfare groups - the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) and Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) - to rehabilitate and find foster homes for the dogs, The Straits Times reported. Residents interviewed by RazorTV said the pack of dogs, which includes five puppies, has been barking and chasing joggers in the area. "They used to run into the playground. A lot of children play there during the weekends and it's very dangerous," one interviewee said. Previous attempts to catch the strays proved difficult due to the area's thick foliage and feeders who tampered with the traps, The Straits Times reported. To deal with feeders, authorities have imposed a fine of up to $5,000 for anyone caught feeding strays in the area, with effect from tomorrow. If the pilot project proves successful, NParks will adopt it to other areas where stray dogs are a problem. adrianl@sph.com.sg