Only a minority support culling of stray animals: Poll

SINGAPORE — Only a minority of Singa­poreans agree with the culling of stray or wild animals and more than half of them support harsher penalties for possession and smuggling of endangered species, according to a survey by a wildlife advocacy group and a brand consultancy.

The survey, said to be the most comprehensive poll done on animal protection issues to date, polled 600 Singa­poreans in January.

Only 13 to 14 per cent of respondents agreed that culling of stray dogs, wild monkeys and wild boars should be allowed. About 31 to 44 per cent — felt culling should be banned, while the remainder were neutral.

The survey was done by wildlife advocacy group, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), and brand and media consultancy Millward Brown. The respondents were recruited by a fieldwork agency and the survey was in line with market research standards, said Ms Cassandra Tan, an account manager at Millward Brown.

Of the respondents, 62 per cent were aged between 18 and 34, while 30 per cent were aged between 35 and 54. Five per cent were aged 17 and below, while 4 per cent were aged 55 and above.

ACRES chief executive Louis Ng said the survey was intended to obtain baseline data and that the aim was for the poll to be conducted annually. Due to public complaints, stray animals continue to be culled in Singa­pore. However, the survey showed that complaints come from a minority of people, he said.

Nearly eight in 10 of the respondents agreed that animal protection was important to them.

On whether the Government is doing enough to protect animals, 24 per cent disagreed, 36 per cent agreed, while 40 per cent were neutral.

However, more than half of the respondents felt those who smuggle endangered animal species should face harsher penalties, while only 5 per cent disagreed.

Mr Ng said the results were encouraging and ACRES could now work to address the concerns of those who support culling. Subsequent surveys would indicate if various policies are working, he added.

ACRES will announce its plans at a later date.

“We’re not saying, let’s change policies (immediately). But we’re saying, as you’ve seen in the past few years, let’s start pilot programmes,” said Mr Ng.

The cat ownership pilot project in Chong Pang, for instance, could be extended to Marine Parade. And Mr Ng expressed hope that the trap-neuter-release-and-manage programme for stray dogs on Jurong Island would be rolled out islandwide, if successful.

ACRES hopes to explore long-term humane solutions with government agencies that will address public and animal-protection concerns, he said.

When contacted by TODAY, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said public safety and health is its first priority in the management of stray animals, even while it works with other stakeholders on public education, surveillance and other measures. It supports rehoming and relocation efforts and said animals are humanely euthanised only as a last resort.

Last year, the AVA received 750 pieces of feedback on monkey-related issues and, to ensure public safety, removed aggressive or nuisance-causing monkeys. Studies have shown that these animals cannot be simply relocated as they may be driven out or killed if placed in areas where other monkeys are living. The AVA added that indiscriminate release transfers problems from one estate to another.

The authority received 2,500 pieces of feedback on stray dogs last year and said stray dogs should be rehomed. Last year, 280 were rehomed, compared with 170 in 2013. Impounded dogs that cannot be rehomed are euthanised as a last resort, it said.

The AVA also called on animal lovers to be mindful of the interests of others who may not share the same views.