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AVA explains euthanasia guidelines

We thank Ms Tan Pei Ying for her letter, “Should animal welfare law allow healthy pets to be put to sleep?” (Oct 16), on the issue of pet euthanasia.

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Wong Hon Mun

Group Director, Agri Establishment Regulation Group, for Chief Executive Officer, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority

We thank Ms Tan Pei Ying for her letter, “Should animal welfare law allow healthy pets to be put to sleep?” (Oct 16), on the issue of pet euthanasia.

Veterinarians have a responsibility to consider the welfare of the pet/animal, as well as the concerns and circumstances of the owner.

They provide veterinary advice and administer the necessary treatment and may at times be called upon to euthanise an animal for various reasons, such as to alleviate its suffering, or if it is aggressive. This is also the practice in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia.

All vets are trained on the ethics and techniques of euthanasia, using the most internationally accepted humane method.

Before euthanising an animal, the vet will conduct the necessary professional assessment and satisfy himself that euthanasia is a reasonable option, considering the circumstances.

He will ascertain ownership of the animal and discuss the various options available so that the owner can make the final informed decision, which is ultimately the latter’s responsibility and right.

In advising the owner, the vet must be mindful of the implications of not acceding to a request for an aggressive pet to be euthanised, such as the client’s potential distress and safety threats to the owner, his/her family, another unknowing adopter or the general public.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has looked into the facts of the case in question. The owner had considered alternatives, such as rehoming her pet, before deciding to have it euthanised.

The vet clinic, The Animal Clinic, followed protocol before putting down the animal, including discussing alternatives with the owner. The clinic experienced first-hand the dog’s aggressiveness. Prior to its euthanasia, other vets in the clinic who examined the dog also found hostile behaviour.

In subsequent visits, the degree of its aggressiveness escalated. On its last visit on Oct 7, it could not be muzzled by clinic staff and needed sedation for handling.

While the arrangement between the rescuer and the adopter is a private matter, the AVA wishes to stress that only dogs of suitable temperament and health should be rehomed.

The AVA urges calm by all parties concerned and advises the dog rescuers to recognise the adopter’s good intentions when adopting the dog in the first instance and to settle the matter amicably.

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