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Times Forum Online 27 Oct 05 Lift the ban on dogs in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Letter from Goh Ee Kiat I am puzzled by the notice at the entrance to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve banning dogs. The reasons given are that dogs leave a scent which disturbs the native wildlife, that dogs may dig up or harass wildlife, and that wildlife may injure the dog or the owner. Hundreds of visitors go to the nature reserve on weekdays and probably over a thousand visitors are there during the weekends. There are also mountain bikers, military personnel and vehicles in some areas. The tiny patch of forest is already riddled with board walks, lanes, an observation tower and many other man-made structures. On its fringes are condominiums, houses, a rifle range with live firing, an expressway and an outdoor school. Could the noise, exhaust fumes, litter, and smells of human beings and their food and other pollutants possibly be less intrusive to the reserve than a dog on the leash in the hands of a responsible owner? As for injury to and by the dog, it would be no more likely than the risks posed by those taken for a walk by their owners in public. If NParks' fears were acceptable, dogs would never be allowed out of the owners' homes. The recent Straits Times' articles on readers' pets show that we are a nation of animal lovers. The reports indicate that pets are now a part of the family in many homes. As such, our pets are included in family activities such as walking in our nature reserve. Could Nparks not consider allowing dogs under certain rules, such as being kept on short leashes at all times, instead of imposing an outright ban? Goh Ee Kiat links More about bringing pets into our nature reserves Related articles on Recreation in our wild places |
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