Dog Laws in Singapore

Owning a Dog is For Life

A dog is for life and beyond which they lay firmly in our hearts and on our minds.” - Leon Traazil.

Dog Laws in Singapore
To protect the interests of dogs in Singapore, owning a pet does come with its own set of laws, rules and regulations or guidelines. Failing to follow them will result in hefty consequences.

Dogs in HDB
If you live in an HDB, you can only keep 1 dog from the list of approved breeds for HDB unless of course you have formal approval from HDB to keep a breed that’s not approved. Anyone caught, can be fined up to a maximum of $4,000. And it is likely they will have to give up their dog/s.

Dogs in Private Property in Singapore
If you live in a private property, you can keep up to 3 dogs with a maximum of 1 dog from the list of specified dogs. You can however, request for more, but must write in to AVS.

Animal Cruelty

A person commits animal cruelty if they:

  • Cause or allow any unnecessary physical or psychological pain or suffering to any animal by beating, kicking, torturing, ill-treating or terrifying the animal;

  • Make a sick or unfit animal work; or

  • Are involved in any business or incident related to animal fighting (e.g. dogfighting).

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty, can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months for first-time offenders. For subsequent offenders, they can be fined up to $30,000 and/or jailed up to 3 years.

Neglect
Pet owners are under a duty to:

  • Provide their pet with adequate and suitable food and water;

  • Provide their pet with adequate shelter;

  • Not subject the pet to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering in how they are handled, or confined; and

  • Protect their pet from any significant injury or disease.

Anyone found guilty of neglect, can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months for first-time offenders. For subsequent offenders, they can be fined up to $20,000 and/or jailed up to 2 years.

Lost Dog or Abandoned Dog?
If your dog is missing, you have to make reasonable efforts to find it and have documented proof of doing so. Otherwise, this can be classified as animal abandonment. Anyone found guilty of abandoning their pet, can be fined up to $10,000 and/or imprisoned for a term of up to 12 months as a first-time offender. Subsequent convictions imposted are fines of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years.

Having your Dog in Public
When in public, it’s important to ensure:

  • Your dog does not damage public property/plants.

  • You must clean up after your dog.

  • You do not bathe your dog on any public road, or beside public tanks, reservoirs, etc.

  • Your dog does not run at other people, or at vehicles/bicycles on a public road.

  • You do not urgent your pet to attack or threaten other people or animals.

Failure to comply with the above, can attract fines of up to $1,000 for first time offenders.

These are the other things you have to ensure:

  • Your dog does not injure members o the public. This can lead to a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, up to $2,000 compensation for such injury.

  • Your dog is to be leashed at all times in public. Failure to comply will lead to a fine of up to $5,000.

  • Your dog is muzzled if it is ferocious, could injure others or make people feel like they might attack or If your dog is one of those from the list of specified dogs. Otherwise, this can attract a fine of up to $5,000.

Giving Up Your Pet
Whilst a pet is for life, there may be very specific valid reasons to give up a dog. The best thing to do is to find a new family for your dog through your immediate network - family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, etc. You would have to legally transfer the ownership. The alternative is to surrender your dog to animal shelters or the government pound. Note that selling your pet is illegal unless you have a pet shop licence under the AVS regulations and if convicted, you can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to 6 months. This includes puppies that your dog gives birth to.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. - Josh Billings.

Don’t Give Up Your Pet
There are many reasons why people should not give up their dogs. Some of the most important ones include:

  1. Emotional bonds:
    Dogs, form strong emotional bonds with their owners and become a valued member of the family. Giving up a dog can be traumatic and may cause the dog to suffer from depression, anxiety, or other emotional problems. They will never be the same.

  2. Responsibility:
    Owning a dog is a big responsibility and requires time, effort, and resources. If you are considering giving up your dog, it is important to consider whether you are able to meet these obligations before you bring a dog into your life in the first place.

  3. Alternatives:
    If you are having difficulties with your dog, there may be alternatives to giving them up, such as seeking the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist, finding a pet sitter or dog walker, or finding a temporary foster home. Highly consider Animal Communication.

  4. Overcrowding in shelters:
    Many animal shelters are overcrowded and do not have the resources to care for all the animals that are brought to them. This can lead to pets being euthanized, particularly if they are older or have health or behavioral problems.

  5. Personal satisfaction:
    Owning a pet can bring joy, companionship, and a sense of purpose to your life. Giving up a pet can be emotionally difficult and may leave a void in your life.

In general, it is important to carefully consider the decision to give up a dog and to explore all possible alternatives before making a final decision.

Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. - John Grogan.

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