SPCA voices concern over handling of dogs removed from Seletar West farm

SINGAPORE – The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has raised concerns over the National Parks Board’s (NParks) recent handling of community dogs at a Seletar West farm.

The organisation stated that it was “deeply concerned by the recent handling of community dogs at Seletar West” and stressed that “humane standards matter, not just for public safety, but for the trust and well-being of the animals directly affected”.

In a Facebook post on Nov 18, the SPCA said it stands united with other animal welfare groups in advocating higher standards and more compassionate approaches in managing such situations.

The organisation also emphasised its commitment to working with partners and the authorities to ensure that animals at the heart of these decisions are protected and treated humanely.

The SPCA concluded its post, saying that “change happens when we work together” and that “we can do better, and we must, for the animals who feel the impact of every decision made”.

The post comes after three dogs were removed from a farm in Seletar West on Nov 14, following four dog-bite incidents reported since May, two of which occurred within a week in November.

Videos of the removal process, which were posted on social media, show two mixed-breed dogs at the farm being captured by at least five men, with the third dog already inside a crate.

One video shows a dog biting a pole while being pushed into a crate, and another shows a second dog resisting capture while held at its neck with a pole before being lifted into a crate. Stains resembling faecal smears and blood could be seen on the ground.

In its Nov 18 post, the SPCA said: “While we understand the need to act on a reported biting incident, the level of force used, choking, dragging and misuse of the catchpole fall far below humane standards and contradict NParks’ own advocacy for positive training.”

It went on to say that 95 per cent of the dogs in the affected area have been “patiently and humanely sterilised” by two volunteers, and added that “one of the dogs seen being mishandled does not even leave its dining area”.

The SPCA said this raised doubts about whether the correct dog was targeted.

In a previous response to concerns raised over whether the force used during the removal was appropriate, Dr Anna Wong, group director of the NParks Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), said in a statement that the trapping of the dogs

was achieved with “reasonable force”

and that the use of restraining poles to secure the dogs was in line with international practices.

In the same statement, AVS clarified that the decision was made to trap and remove the free-roaming dogs immediately to safeguard public safety, given the earlier bite incidents.

AVS confirmed that all equipment deployed was in line with humane handling practices. The dogs are currently in AVS’ care and are reported to be alert and eating well.

The Straits Times has contacted NParks, which oversees AVS, for comment.