The National Parks Board (NParks) has refuted a woman’s claim that four stray dogs in Bidadari Park have allegedly gone without food for days after the area was closed off, preventing their feeders from accessing them.
In a series of Instagram posts on the account @the.doggie.mommy, she accused NParks of putting up hoarding leaving no way out for the dogs.
She claimed that the strays have not come out to eat or drink for seven days, making her worry that they may be terrified as they are extremely skittish.
She also said the authority is in the process of capturing the dogs and removing them from the park.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, the move came after NParks had received complaints from residents of the dogs barking at and allegedly chasing visitors.
NParks has clarified to MS News that the dogs are free to move in and out of the hoarded areas.
The authority also stated it is “conducting surveillance and working towards the humane capture of the dogs” following feedback about a few free-roaming dogs in Bidadari Park displaying “territorial behaviour” towards park visitors.
Source: @the.doggie.mommy on Instagram
However, @the.doggie.mommy said that the NParks’s surveillance camera had not captured the dogs attacking anyone.
“Yet it [NParks] made the decision to trap and remove the dogs despite our pleas,” she wrote in an Instagram post on 10 Feb.
The dog feeder also questioned whether the authorities were using humane trapping methods to remove the animals, stating: “The entire area is blocked with canvas. Trappers were seen putting up huge netting.”
According to one of @the.doggie.mommy’s Instagram posts, the dogs at Bidadari Park would only come out when there are no people around.
All four dogs had also been part of NPark’s Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme, which means they can no longer reproduce.
Source: @the.doggie.mommy on Instagram
A petition started by her in November 2024 also pleads for the dogs to remain where they are.
The petition, which has since been signed by more than 3,100 people, stated that when Bidadari Park opened, the dogs had to deal with the sudden influx of people in their space, which caused them to bark at visitors.
“The dogs are learning to accept the humans but the humans are not doing the same. The humans want the dogs removed because the humans fear that the dogs may attack them,” it said.
Signed by more than 3,100 people, it also stated that the dogs have not attacked anyone.
“If the relevant government agency insists on removing the dogs that were part of its TNRM program despite no actual attacks, isn’t this contradicting its policies?” Ms Chua questioned.
NParks said the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) will work closely with animal welfare groups to manage the dogs responsibly “after safely trapping the dogs”.
Measures include rehoming, fostering and relocating the dogs.
@the.doggie.mommy, however, says she believes that the dogs, used to living outdoors, may struggle to adjust to new, smaller environments.
Signs have been put up in the park informing visitors on how to manage their encounters with the animals.
NParks added that as dogs are territorial by nature and may possess an innate instinct to chase and catch things, the public are advised not to stare at the strays.
One should also speak softly, and walk away without making any sudden movements.
Also read: Dog walkers cautioned after rat burrows treated with poison seen at Serangoon Central
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Featured image adapted from @the.doggie.mommy on Instagram.