Serangoon resident plans to move, unable to bear smell of neighbour’s dog

Serangoon resident has spent almost S$1,000 on deodorisers due to smell of neighbour’s dog

A Serangoon resident says she’s at her wit’s end and plans to move out — because of the smell from her neighbour’s dog.

The 67-year-old woman, known only as Ms Wang, told Shin Min Daily News that the odour from the dog next door is so overpowering that she can’t even open her door.

Smell detected since Serangoon resident got the dog in January

According to Ms Wang (transliterated from Mandarin), who lives in Block 124 Serangoon North Avenue 1, the issue began after her neighbours got a medium-sized senior dog in January.

She shared that the smell wafts out into the common area, especially since her neighbours tend to keep their windows open.

With a corner unit that requires ventilation, Ms Wang said she can’t keep her door shut all day either.

But they would detect the dog’s smell as soon as they open the door, she added.

Since having heart surgery in February and April, she worries that a closed-up space could affect her mental health and make her feel “depressed” and “anxious”.

Serangoon resident spends S$1,000 to dispel dog smell

Despite her efforts to mask the smell with aromatherapy products such as spices and lemons, the odour remains.

She also frequently cleaned the corridor outside her flat with fabric softener.

Ms Wang says she’s spent around S$1,000 on deodorising solutions, including three or four aromatherapy devices and S$75 lemongrass water sprays.

The authorities have no issue, neighbour says

Ms Wang says she spoke to a young resident from her neighbour’s unit about the smell, but claims they told her to keep quiet when she brought it up again.

When contacted by Shin Min Daily News, her neighbour, Ms Chen Yueying (transliterated), said the authorities had inspected her unit and found no issue.

Ms Chen, 62, noted that she would address it if multiple neighbours complained, but so far, Ms Wang is the only one to do so.

A tenant in the unit added that the smell wasn’t bothersome and that the dog, which usually stays elsewhere when Ms Chen goes to work, isn’t home most of the time.

Some neighbours have noticed the smell

However, residents on lower floors have mentioned a faint odour, with Ms Chen, a third-floor resident in her 60s, noting she occasionally catches the scent in the lift or when the wind carries it downward.

She added that there’s sometimes a smell when the dog’s supplies are hung to dry.

The Aljunied-Hougang Town Council confirmed that it had received feedback from the National Parks Board (NParks) about the matter and acknowledged that NParks was following up with the parties involved.

The feedback, however, hasn’t alleviated Ms Wang’s concerns.

She shared that despite her love for dogs, she’s planning to move as she can’t tolerate the smell

She’s even offered to pay for a vet check or to change its litter, but isn’t sure her neighbour would agree.

Also read: Hougang condo forbids dog-walking in courtyard after poo not cleaned up, residents express frustration

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Shin Min Daily News.