18 dog trainers seek accreditation from AVA

Potentially dangerous dogs will have to be sent to these approved trainers

Dog trainer Patrick Wong showing his client, Ms Martha Tan, 31, how to control her five-year-old rottweiler, Carlos. Mr Wong said the new requirement would give customers peace of mind and professionalise the industry. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG

By Feng Zengkun

Eighteen trainers have applied for accreditation with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which wants owners to send all potentially dangerous dogs to approved trainers.

The ruling, which came into effect last November, affects mastiffs, German shepherds, bull terriers, doberman pinschers, rottweilers, their crosses and any dog with a history of unprovoked attacks.

On Sunday, a rottweiler killed a silky terrier during a dog event at the East Coast Park. The muzzle had reportedly been removed from the rottweiler to let it drink water, while the smaller dog had been unleashed to let it take part in an activity.

The AVA said the 18 trainers had applied in its first window of application, which closed last Friday. The list of approved names will be published on its website on Sept 13.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_705463.html

Fun dog walk goes awry as Rottweiler kills Silky terrier

SINGAPORE - It was to have been a happy event for dog enthusiasts, but things turned awry when a 40kg Rottweiler snapped at a 4.3kg Silky Terrier, killing it almost instantly.

The incident happened on Sunday(21 Aug 11) at the annual national dog walk at East Coast Park.

According to The Straits Times, the four-year-old Rottweiler, owned by plastic surgeon Dr J.J. Chua had been unmuzzled to drink some water on a very hot day. At the same time, the owner of the smaller dog, Ms Joreen Yeo, had let her own dog off leash as they were about to take part in a ball-throwing event that happened at 1pm.

But the owners have different versions of what happened, and are blaming each other for the smaller dog's death.

Dr Chua claimed that the three-year-old terrier had charged at him and bit him on his inner right arm as he was sitting on a stool holding on to his dog, Popeye, which was leashed. His own dog then bit the terrier, Honey, which Dr Chua said 'is his natural instinct'.

Ms Yeo, however, is certain that her dog would not bite anyone. She also wants to know why the Rottweiler was unmuzzled in a crowded place.

Ms Yeo carried her dog to the veterinarian on duty, but was told it had died.

Dr Chua then rushed her and the terrier to Mount Pleasant Animal Clinic in East Coast Road, but it was futile.

The event, which had Foreign and Law Minister K. Shanmugam as guest of honour, carried on as planned.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it is investigating the case.

Source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110823-295862.html

Trainers who handle dangerous dogs must now be accredited

AsiaOne
Friday, Aug 05, 2011

Dog trainers who handle dogs which are deemed potentially dangerous by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) will now have to be accredited.

The Panel for the Accreditation of Dog Trainers (PADT) will recognise trainers who have completed a training syllabus focusing on obedience and social interaction.

AVA's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Tan Poh Hong, said that the training will help to ensure that owners can maintain control of their pets and that the dogs do not behave aggressively in public.

"It is important that dog owners are considerate of others and ensure that their pets are well behaved, especially in our dense urban environment.

"Although compulsory training by AVA-accredited dog trainers is only required for potentially dangerous dogs, I encourage all dog owners to send their pet dogs for basic obedience training."

Under Singapore law, any newly licensed dog of a breed which falls under the Second Schedule will have to undergo basic obedience training by an AVA-accredited trainer.

Breeds that come under the Second Schedule include the bull terrier, doberman pinscher, rottweiler, German Shepherd and its related breeds, as well as mastiffs.

Any crosses between the listed breeds are also included in the Second Schedule.

Under this new scheme, dog trainers are eligible to apply for accreditation if they have been active in training dogs, preferably large breeds, for the last 2 years.

This should be verifiable with a minimum of 6 references.

They should also be able to conduct classes according to the training syllabus for accreditation.

The panel may assess them individually.

Source:

Tired of your dog's look? Turn him into a lion or panda

Ever wanted a pet lion or a panda? When a dog simply just won't do, these amazing styling jobs allow you to transform your pet into nearly anything you might desire.

STOMPer PetPeeve wrote:

"These amazing dog styling jobs are really really creative, but really really odd as well.

"I guess everyone's dreamed of having a pet pony or camel before, but I hope they washed it off soon afterwards.

"After all, a dog is a dog, and is probably happiest looking like a dog."

Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/this_urban_jungle/708882/tired_of_your_dog_turn_him_into_a_lion_or_panda.html

Why we shouldn't feed strays: Look at what vicious stray cat did to woman and dog

STOMPer Yvonne's mother and her dog were viciously attacked by a stray cat lurking around Block 216 of Tampines Street 23 on Thursday (Aug 4) when they were taking a walk.

Yesterday (Aug 5), a STOMPer wrote in saying that the feeding of stray cats and pigeons is causing a rat problem in Clementi.

The STOMPer recounted:

"I like to share a horrifying incident that happened to my mother and my dog, in the hopes that all dog owners will be more careful and that people should minimize the feeding of stray cats.

"This incident happened on the evening of Aug 4 at the void deck of Blk 216 of Tampines St 23.

"My mother was walking the dog when she spotted a stray cat approaching fast from a distance.

"Realizing the intention of the stray cat, she quickly carried my dog into her arms, but her reaction was not quick enough and the stray cat attacked my dog.

"My mother pushed the stray cat away, but it did not want to give up and viciously attacked my mother.

"A lady, feeding the stray cats, came to my mother's aid only after hearing her constant cries for help.

"Please find attached the image of what happened to them and the pain they had to endure.

"This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred -- the first time, my dog was saved from the attack.

"Other dog owners have faced same thing as well."

Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/718518/look_at_what_vicious_stray_cat_did_to_dog_and_mother.html

Nation Day 2011

First of all...

~=~HAPPY NATIONDAL DAY to all~=~

To celebrate National Day at home today, after our daddy, mummy, jie jies, gor gor had KFC outside, they return home to prepare special National Day Dinner for us.

We had Steamed Salmon Fillet with Celery, Baby Dou Miao, Baby Kai Lan with rice!



It was yummy!
It's been quite a while since we last had steamed salmon!
(OS:We will only had fresh steamed salmon on special occasion!)