SINGAPORE - A pack of wild dogs in Pasir Ris is being monitored and will be trapped by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).
Dr Chang Siow Foong, group director of community animal management at AVS, said on Monday that the agency was alerted to an incident where dogs had chased a jogger in Pasir Ris on Saturday evening. AVS is a cluster under the National Parks Board.
“AVS is aware of this pack of free-roaming dogs. When trapped, these dogs will be managed as part of our ongoing trap-neuter-rehome/release-manage (TNRM) programme,” said Dr Chang.
In a TikTok video shared on social media, a man can be seen jogging along a park connector in Pasir Ris Drive 3, near a group of dogs standing on an adjacent grassy slope.
The dogs are heard barking and seen running down the slope to chase the man, who sprints away in a bid to escape.
The video has garnered more than 550,000 views since it was posted on Sunday.
According to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, the video’s poster said that the jogger fell while running away from the dogs and suffered bruises on his knees and palms but managed to escape without being attacked by the dogs.
Dr Chang said the TNRM programme involves catching free-roaming dogs and sterilising them, and rehoming “as many as possible”.
Those that cannot be rehomed will be released at suitable locations, away from residential estates, to live out their lives naturally, he added.
More than 3,900 free-roaming dogs have been trapped since the programme was launched in 2018, with 60 per cent of the dogs successfully rehomed or fostered out.
In September, two dogs believed to have killed dozens of cats and were also aggressive towards residents in Fernvale, Ang Mo Kio, Jalan Kayu and Serangoon North were captured by AVS.
Dr Chang said: “Dogs are territorial animals and may bark in response to humans or other animals which are within or are approaching their territories. Additionally, they may possess an innate instinct to chase and catch things.
“Although some free-roaming dogs may chase after fast-moving objects, they tend to be wary of humans and usually stay out of their way.
“They may also approach people, using their sense of smell to gather information about their surroundings.”
The public should avoid staring at free-roaming dogs when encountering them, and should speak softly and walk away slowly without making any sudden movements.
Anyone who needs assistance may call the AVS Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600 or send an e-mail to www.avs.gov.sg/feedback
- Additional reporting by Gabrielle Chan
