SINGAPORE- Some pets had a big day out on Sunday at Sembawang Group Representative Constituency's first pets carnival, at which a new Dog Run site was launched.

About 300 residents turned up at Sembawang Park with their hamsters, dogs and birds for a day of fun. Canines had a barking good time participating in activities like a tail-wagging competition and a dog race. There were also dog grooming and health screening sessions.

Hamsters exercised their paws in a hamster race won by Hammer, owned by eight-year-old Isaac Wong and six-year-old Valerie Wong.

Some interesting pets were also spotted, such as Kunai, a Siberian husky painted with stripes to look like a white tiger. "But don't worry, this is not permanent dye, it comes off after a few washes," said owner and professional groomer Owen Sim, 46. He keeps Kunai outdoors with a fan to ensure that the dog is kept cool.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, grassroots adviser for Sembawang, also attended the carnival and launched a 2,700 sq m Dog Run Site at Sembawang Park.

The sixth such site in Singapore, the fenced-off area covers about two and a half basketball courts and allows pets to run around freely.

Nurse Rebecca Tan, 42, owner of a Jack Russell and a beagle, said: "We usually go to the dog run site in Bishan, but it's very crowded in weekends and it's hard to find parking spaces. A new dog run site opens up more options. Running in open spaces keeps my dogs happy."