Complaints on Dog Owners Failing to Pick Up after Their Pets

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) in the past three years, how many complaints have there been of dog owners who fail to pick up after their pets had defecated in public areas; (b) how can dog owners be encouraged not to let their pets urinate at the pillars in the void decks or the public park furniture; and (c) whether there was any enforcement action taken against these dog owners.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: All pet owners should clean up after their pets in public places. Members of the public who fail to clean up after their pets defecate in public areas can be fined up to $1,000 for the first offence under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations.

Over the past three years, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has received more than 1,300 cases of feedback concerning faeces from pet dogs and stray dogs in public areas. As enforcement is challenging due to the transient nature of the offence, actions were only taken in four cases.

The NEA, together with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), have been working with the Town Councils to undertake road shows and community events as well as distribute educational materials to educate pet owners to clean up after their pets. Standees are also placed at prominent locations where animal waste is an issue.

Not cleaning up after one’s pet is irresponsible behaviour that dirties our environment. I urge all pet owners to be considerate and play your part in keeping Singapore clean.