Elderly stray dog dies after alleged trauma linked to NParks trapping at Seletar West Farmway

SINGAPORE: An elderly stray dog that was forcefully trapped by NParks contractors at Seletar West Farmway has reportedly died shortly after being released on 21 November 2025, with animal welfare groups alleging that trauma from the capture contributed to its death.

Videos circulating on social media since 14 November 2025 showed three stray dogs being aggressively restrained during a trapping operation, triggering widespread public anger and scrutiny of the NParks handling of the incident.

In one widely shared Instagram clip, a brown dog limped and struggled as contractors used poles to push it into a crate.

The dog later collapsed while inside the cage, allegedly due to shock. It was believed to be about 10 years old.

Animal Group Says Dog Died From Trauma

In a Facebook post on 21 November in the Welfare For Our SG Community Dogs group, page administrator Samantha Dorai alleged that the dog died of heart failure caused by the stress and injuries sustained during the operation.

She wrote that the dog had already collapsed in the cage immediately after being trapped, claiming that NParks had kept the three dogs for a week without conducting veterinary checks before releasing them.

According to her, the elderly dog died shortly after being returned to the community.

Dorai accused NParks of carrying out an “inhumane and forceful trapping”, alleging that the dogs had been left without care or compassion during their week in holding.

She further questioned why the dogs were only released a week later and claimed that NParks staff had not assessed their condition during this period.

She also alleged that the other two dogs from the same operation were in poor condition.

“You are responsible for one death and you better pray the other two don’t die too,” she wrote, expressing anger at what she described as a lack of compassion.

NParks Says ‘Acceptable’ Force Was Used

In response to public concern, NParks earlier on Sunday (16 Nov) defended that an “acceptable” amount of force was used during the trapping of the three dogs.

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster under NParks, said contractors had been deployed to remove free-roaming dogs from Seletar West Farmway 8 after reports of dogs chasing and biting members of the public.

AVS Group Director for Community Animal Management Dr Anna Wong said four bite cases had been reported between May and November 2025, involving scratches and puncture wounds requiring medical treatment.

“AVS has assessed that the amount of force used during the restraint of the dogs was within acceptable parameters, considering the dogs’ history of aggression, hence the urgency to secure these dogs promptly and safely,” Wong said.

She added that the equipment used supported humane handling practices and that contractors had attempted to trap the dogs using “reasonable force”.

Animal Welfare Groups Call for Higher Standards

On 18 November, several animal welfare organisations — including the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Chained Dog Awareness Singapore (CDAS) and Causes for Animals Singapore — issued a joint statement expressing concern over the operation.

While acknowledging the need to act on reported biting incidents, the groups argued that the level of force used — including what they described as “choking”, “dragging” and the alleged “misuse” of the catchpole — “fell far below humane standards”.

The organisations said their teams regularly handle fearful and aggressive dogs “without resorting to force”, warning that harsh treatment can severely traumatise animals and hinder rehabilitation.

They called for several reforms, including:

• A full review of NParks’ dog-capture protocols
• Standardised training and certification for contractors
• Greater accountability for volunteer Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) teams
• Stronger collaboration with experienced welfare practitioners
• Legal recognition of animals as sentient beings

“Our shared goal is a safe community and compassionate treatment of our street animals. With proper training, accountability, and cooperation, Singapore can and must do better,” the organisations said.