HDB apologetic over controversial ‘debarking’ advice, retracts notice

In the wake of massive backlash online and raising furore among animal welfare groups here, the Housing Development Board (HDB) have made an apology for recommending devocalization procedures to dog owners in a notice put up in Ang Mo Kio. 

The bulletin was found by resident Shawn Boo who shared a photo of the notice online, which has since been shared over 1,400 times on Facebook. The notice was put up by HDB in response to complaints about “dog barking nuisance in the middle of the night”, and advising “debarking your dog through surgery”. 

HDB apologetic over controversial “debarking” advice, retracts notice

Dog lovers and non-profit organisations such as Exclusively Mongrels Limited and Action for Singapore Dogs have voiced their objection for HDB’s counsel on each of their Facebook pages, strongly condemning devocalization surgery even as a last resort for excessive barking.

In a statement made to Channel NewsAsia, HDB have taken down the notice and apologised to dog owners for the anger caused, agreeing that the case “should have been handled more sensitively”. 

Photo: Exclusively Mongrels Limited Facebook Page, Shawn Boo Facebook Page

Read Also: HDB under flak from dog lovers for unsympathetic advice



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