Bidadari dog caretakers voice frustration over NParks’ canvas barrier replacement

SINGAPORE: Caretakers of the Bidadari stray dogs have expressed frustration with the National Parks Board (NParks), accusing the agency of disregarding their requests regarding the replacement of canvas barriers at the park. In a Facebook post on Wednesday (3 Sept), Jermaine Chua, a long-time caretaker of the Bidadari dogs and the person behind the Doggie Mommy account, said none of their requests had been taken into consideration by NParks. A site meeting was held on 21 August to review the replacement works. Ahead of the meeting, NParks had set up a mock-up, while the caregivers prepared a proposal for a modular barrier that accounted for site and weather conditions. “We had prepared a long list of considerations and requests. During the meeting, almost every one of our requests and proposals was turned down,” Chua wrote.

Concerns Over Dogs’ Safety and Stress

Caretakers had specifically requested that NParks begin replacement works from a particular location inside the park to minimise disturbance to the dogs and prevent them from being trapped outside their hideouts. They also asked that a small stretch of canvas not be sealed at the bottom, allowing the dogs to re-enter if left outside. However, these suggestions were not followed. On 29 August, NParks informed the group via email that replacement works would proceed that day. According to Chua, none of their requests were taken into consideration. The only adjustment made was that, at a small stretch, the lowest strut was placed 300mm above the ground rather than at ground level. Chua argued this was inadequate for the ageing Bidadari dogs. “How do they expect a standard Singapore Special to crawl under? Not to mention our Bidadari dogs are very senior,” she said, adding that the animals would be terrified if they could not reach their hideouts. She noted that 300mm was barely the distance from the dogs’ elbows to the ground, meaning their bodies would scrape against the metal strut, potentially causing injuries. “This is causing the dogs unnecessary stress and suffering. Isn’t this animal abuse in a way?” She further questioned whether NParks was genuinely prioritising animal welfare, asking, “Why bother to meet us for feedback if NParks refused to listen? Is NParks genuinely concerned about the welfare of our Bidadari dogs?”

Previous Dialogue with NParks and MP

In a prior update on 19 June, NParks and Member of Parliament (MP) Alex Yeo had met with the caregivers. At the time, they were told the corral at Bidadari Park had been removed and trapping operations temporarily paused. To help the dogs acclimatise, a corral resembling a playpen had been placed near their feeding area, fitted with kibble, water and surveillance cameras. NParks also noted that incident reports had dropped significantly since the canvas barrier was installed, though it emphasised the pause in trapping was not permanent. Caretakers highlighted that despite more visitors at the park, the dogs had not harmed anyone, showing they were not aggressive and posed no threat to the public. They also raised concerns about lapses by NParks’ contractors. One contractor had mistakenly placed water beads in the corral, while another left open cans at the site, which NParks described as “unintentional littering”. Although both contractors were replaced, the caregivers stressed these were serious lapses in oversight and added that NParks remained responsible for the conduct of its appointed contractors. The group reiterated their hope that the dogs would be allowed to live out their lives peacefully in Bidadari, the only home they have ever known.

NParks’ Plan to Remove Bidadari Dogs

The Bidadari dogs, which have lived in the area for nearly a decade, may soon be trapped and removed following complaints from residents, including reports of barking and alleged “territorial behaviour” towards park visitors. NParks said it had received more than 60 such reports, including about 20 incidents where dogs were said to have chased members of the public. While no direct attacks were reported, the agency noted that a young child was injured while running away from the dogs. In response, NParks has introduced several mitigation measures. A U-shaped blue canvas hoarding was installed to serve as a visual barrier between the dogs and parkgoers, and the agency has indicated it will proceed with removal efforts. NParks previously stated that it would use internationally recognised humane trapping methods, similar to those employed in its Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme.