SMS Tan Kiat How personally tested 'a range of' electric dog collars on himself, says NParks looking at developing guidelines to prevent cruelty
He was addressing a question by Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng about the use of electric dog collars during the parliamentary session.
SINGAPORE — The National Parks Board (NParks) is developing guidelines to address the risks associated with the use of invasive animal training devices, such as electric collars, Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said during a parliamentary session on Thursday (7 March).
Tan also revealed in Parliament that he had personally tested a 'range of electric collars' on himself. He was addressing a question posed by Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament, Louis Ng, regarding an update on its consideration of banning electric collars for animal training.
Tan mentioned that in 2022, the Rehoming Adoption Workgroup (RAWG), comprising NParks, animal welfare groups, veterinarians, and dog trainers, had released guidelines to standardise practices concerning dog breeding, adoption, training, and behaviour rehabilitation.
According to Tan, considering RAWG's recommendations and engaging in further consultations with key stakeholders in the animal community and the public regarding the use of electric collars, NParks is currently developing guidelines to complement the existing ones on dog training.
He also said these new guidelines would highlight the risks of invasive training devices, such as electric collars.
Tan clarified, "Ultimately, these guidelines recommend good practices to be adopted by the community and are not meant to be legally enforceable."
He also added that NParks would not hesitate to investigate and take enforcement action under the Animals and Birds Act if unnecessary pain or suffering is found to be inflicted on animals.
Tan Kiat How commends Louis Ng's 'doggedness' on electric dog collar issue
In a follow-up question, the Nee Soon GRC MP questioned the concerns driving the consideration of banning electric collars, saying that their use constitutes physical abuse due to the distress inflicted upon dogs by trainers.
"I think SMS Tan himself tried the use of the electric collar, and it is painful. Obviously, it's painful for the dogs as well."
He further questioned how such actions could not be classified as physical abuse when they result in "pain and suffering" for the animals.
Responding, Tan expressed surprise at Ng's awareness of his actions, saying, "So I didn't know the member was keeping track of me as I didn't post about it,"
However, he acknowledged, "But as part of the whole process, I did indeed get my NParks colleagues to bring in a range of electric collars, and I tried all of them myself."
Tan described the experience as notably painful, rating it around about seven on a pain scale of one to ten.
He empathised with Ng's concerns and commended his "doggedness" in raising the issue since 2020. Tan assured that NParks is actively engaging in discussions about the matter, and the guidelines are expected to be released "very soon."
About 1,250 feedback on cases of animal cruelty each year
Regarding animal cruelty, Tan highlighted that from 2019 to 2023, the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) consistently received approximately 1,250 feedback on cases of animal cruelty each year, including those from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
He said that every one of these cases underwent investigations, with around 60 cases per year, or 5 per cent of the total cases between 2019 and 2022, were found to be related to animal cruelty, resulting in enforcement actions ranging from warnings to prosecution.
Tan urged the public to promptly report suspected cases of animal cruelty to AVS via its website or the Animal Response Centre hotline at 1800 476 1600, highlighting the community's role in combating such instances.
He also said that the government is considering strengthening penalties for animal cruelty as part of its ongoing legislative review.
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