The fact is that man's best friend is not welcome in many public places, from nature havens to shopping malls.

Businessman Alex Ng once tried to take Sparco, his mixed breed maltese-shih tzu, for a walk in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve but turned back when he saw a sign that said no dogs were allowed.

'I don't try to take him anywhere because it's pointless. Before you even try, you get a sense that he will get turned away,' says the man who now just takes Sparco for walks and jogs around his Orchard Road apartment.

A spokesman for the National Parks Board says dogs are banned in gazetted nature reserves such as the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Labrador Nature Reserve and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as 'they can affect the native flora and fauna'.

Dogs with their natural hunting instinct may disturb the animals found in these areas or damage the plants.

You can't take Fido out for a stroll at the Singapore Zoo or the Night Safari either.

Mr Biswajit Guha, assistant director of zoology at the zoo, says the two visitor attractions take the health and safety of their animals seriously.

'To ensure the wellness and safety of animals in both our parks, the two areas are designated quarantine areas,' he says.

Animals not from the zoo are not allowed in for fear that they might introduce diseases.

The Chinese Garden in Jurong with its lush greenery is also out of bounds for pets. A spokesman for Jurong Town Corporation, which manages the place, says it wants to keep it clean.

'It might also make it inconvenient for visitors who are afraid of dogs,' she says.

A check with eight shopping malls reveals that most shoo away pets too.

At Great World City, for instance, signs are displayed at entrances to remind shoppers not to show up with pets. If they do, security personnel will ask them to leave.

'We are a one-stop family shopping mall with many food and beverage outlets. For the comfort of our customers and hygiene of our F&B operators, we need to enforce the ruling,' says Ms Jenny Hiong, Great World City's assistant manager of building services.

A spokesman for the UOL Group, which manages United Square and Velocity@Novena Square, says dogs are not welcome.

There are no pet clinics or pet grooming stores among the tenants so 'owners have no reason to bring their pets', even if the dog is placed in a carrier.

Over at VivoCity, its general manager Wendy Low says visitors can come with their dogs but they must comply with certain restrictions.

Owners with dogs in carriers can access all spaces within the mall but dogs on a leash must navigate a prescribed route from the carpark at Basement 1 or 2 to get to the Pet Safari store at Level 3.

'Dogs are also allowed on VivoCity Promenade, the waterfront boardwalk, provided they are leashed,' says Ms Low.

So where in Singapore can a dog owner roam free with his pet?

Parks such as East Coast Park and Pasir Ris Park are options but the animal must be kept on a leash.

Certain breeds, such as pit bulls, bull terriers and German shepherds, must be muzzled.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a popular hangout but some areas, including the Rain Forest, National Orchid Garden, Evolution Garden and Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, are forbidden zones.

A spokesman says these spots have special plant displays or they attract many children.

Other dog-friendly areas include dog runs in Bishan Park and West Coast Park, dog cafes such as Pawtobello Cafe in Mohamed Sultan Road and Sentosa's Tanjong Beach.

Dog owners hope Singapore will become more dog-friendly.

Ms Bernadette Ee, who has a chihuahua, says mall operators, for instance, should not forget that they have spending power.

'Shopping in a mall is a splurging experience for both canines and humans,' says the financial consultant, who spends nearly $600 each month on food, clothes, toys and grooming sessions for her dog.

taysc@sph.com.sg

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