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Source:
www.ava.gov.sg |
NEW ANIMAL AND BIRDS (DOG LICENSING AND
CONTROL) RULES |
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The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA)
has made revisions to the Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control)
Rules. The revised Rules will come into effect on 1 Sep 07. |
The new Rules are targeted at better
management of the dog population as well as to instill responsible pet
ownership and discourage pet abandonment. The key changes are as
follows: |
(a) Mandatory microchipping of all newly
licensed dogs |
All licensed dogs must be microchipped with
an ISO compliant microchip. |
Dogs that were licensed before 1 Sep 07 will
be exempted from the requirement. However, owners of such dogs are
strongly encouraged to have their dogs microchipped for better
traceability. |
All new dog owners must submit documentary
proof from a veterinarian to show that their dogs have been microchipped. |
Microchipping is a more effective and
permanent identification system than dog badges. It is a more
reliable way to ensure traceability in the event of a rabies
outbreak. At the same time, it would also help AVA to trace and
return lost dogs to owners. |
(b) Harmonisation of dog licence
fees |
Under the new Rules1, the
annual licence fee for all unsterilised dogs (both male and
female) is $70 while the licence fee for sterilised dogs is $14. |
The alignment of fees takes into
account that unsterilised male and female dogs are equally
responsible for breeding. |
To encourage early licensing of dogs,
the new Rules allow owners to license their dogs that are up to 5
months of age at a reduced rate of $14 a year even if the dogs are
not sterilised. |
However, owners will have to sterilise
their dog before the expiry date of the dog licence as otherwise,
the licence fee of $70 is payable at the time of licence renewal. |
A group licence fee will also be
introduced for dogs kept in registered farms for breeding,
boarding and training. |
The licence fees are as follows: |
i) More than 300 dogs on the premises
|
$3,500 per annum |
ii) More than 200 dogs but not more than 300
dogs on the premises |
$1,700 per annum |
iii) More than 100 dogs but not more than
200 dogs |
$1,100 per annum |
iv) 100 or fewer dogs on the premises
|
$ 650 per annum |
|
(c) Higher penalties for keeping of
unlicensed dogs, allowing dogs to stray and failing to muzzle
dangerous breeds of dogs in public places |
A dog above 3 months of age must be
licensed. |
To discourage dog owners from keeping
unlicensed dogs, allowing their dogs to stray or not muzzling dogs
of breeds2 that are required to be muzzled in a public
place (eg, the Rottweiller or Mastiff); the maximum fine for such
offences has been raised from $500 to $5,000. |
In the event of the loss or death of a
dog, or a change in address of the dog owner, the owner is
required to inform AVA within 28 days. |
Under the new Rules, a dog licence is
not transferable. When a licensee does not renew the dog licence
upon its expiry, the licensee may be fined for keeping a dog
without a valid licence and will have to apply for a new dog
licence. |
d) Pet shops and dog breeding farms
to help buyers license their dogs |
All dogs for sale at pet shops and dog
breeding farms are to be licensed at the point of sale. The pet
shop or farm would be responsible to assist a new owner in getting
his dog licensed, but the licence fee would be borne by the owner. |
AVA will continue to review our
policies and regulations, in tandem with our public education
efforts, to ensure that they remain relevant and support our
efforts to promote responsible pet ownership. |
Enquiries |
For further enquiries and information,
please: |
- visit AVA¨s website at
www.ava.gov.sg |
- e-mail
ava_cawc@ava.gov.sg |
- call the Centre for Animal Welfare
and Control service line at 6471- 9987 on weekdays from 8 am to 5
pm |
More..... (FAQ) |
1 Previously, the annual licence fee for a male
dog and for a female dog was $14 and $70 respectively, while the
licence fee for a sterilised female dog was $14 a year.
2 Breeds of dogs that are required to be muzzled
in a public place include:
i) Breeds specified in Part I of the Second
Schedule: Pit Bull, which includes the American Pit Bull Terrier
(which is also known as the American Pit Bull and Pit Bull
Terrier), American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull
Terrier, American Bulldog, and crosses between them and other
breeds, Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila
Brasileiro, Boerboel, and their crosses; and
ii) Breeds specified in Part II of the Second
Schedule: Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiller, German
Shepherd Dog with its related breeds such as the Belgian Shepherd
Dog and the East European Shepherd Dog, Mastiffs including the
Bull Mastiff, Perro De Presa Canario, Cane Corso and Dogue De
Bordeaux, and their crosses. |
Source:
www.ava.gov.sg Press Release 6
Aug 2007 |
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