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Handlers can keep retired sniffer dogs in HDB flats

SINGAPORE — From June this year, dog handlers from the Home Team and the military will be allowed to keep retired sniffer dogs in their Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats even if these are larger breeds.

Sniffer dogs with their handlers. Photo: MHA, MND and Mindef

Sniffer dogs with their handlers. Photo: MHA, MND and Mindef

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SINGAPORE — From June this year, dog handlers from the Home Team and the military will be allowed to keep retired sniffer dogs in their Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats even if these are larger breeds.

The move is part of a year-long pilot under Project Adore, launched in 2012 to assess the acceptance of mixed-breed dogs — up to 15kg in weight and 50cm in height — in HDB estates, if proper safeguards are in place.

Under this new pilot, dog breeds that these officers will be allowed to adopt and rehome include Labradors, English Springers, Cocker Spaniels and English Pointers.

The ministries of National Development (MND), Home Affairs and Defence said in a joint statement on Tuesday (May 9) that the pilot project arose after dog handlers from the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force K-9 units as well as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Military Working Dog Unit expressed interest in adopting the retired service dogs. But they could not do so as the size and breeds of the retired dogs do not satisfy existing HDB regulations or Project Adore’s criteria.

Explaining why they are trying out letting the officers keep these larger retired dogs, the ministries said: “They train and work with their dogs on a daily basis, have developed close bonds with them, and are experienced in managing these well-trained dogs. These dogs have also contributed to Singapore’s safety and security while on active duty.”

They also noted that under Project Adore, residents have been receptive to larger dog breeds in their neighbourhoods if the dog owners behave responsibly and there are proper channels for dispute mediation.

For this pilot, the officers who want to adopt the retired sniffer dogs will still be screened. To prevent dogs being abandoned, they will be microchipped. All adopters will also have to comply with the ownership conditions and the Code of Responsible Behaviour set out by the MND.

The HDB, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore and animal welfare group partners will support the pilot.

The MND will conduct a review after one year and assess whether to extend it to other types of service dogs.

Last week, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen posted on Facebook that the SAF tries to look for good homes for the 10 to 15 dogs from the Military Working Dog Unit that retire each year. On average, these dogs, which are disciplined and well-trained, would have spent eight years as SAF guard dogs or sniffers that conduct bomb sweeps for National Day Parades and open houses or at sentry gates in camps, he added.

Welcoming the pilot in another post on Tuesday, Dr Ng said it is “a good start and the right and more sustainable approach for HDB homes — it ensures responsible owners and appropriate living conditions for these dogs as well as acceptance by the neighbours and community”.

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