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  Straits Times Forum Online 26 Nov 05
AVA should educate people on bird flu rather than seize pet chickens
Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee

Straits Times Forum Online 25 Nov 05
How can AVA take away my pet chickens without telling me?
 Letter from Leong Mei Lin (Ms)

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) came and took away our pet chickens on November 23 without notifying my parents, my sister and me.

It took away my four chickens because someone had complained about our chickens for fear of bird flu.

The AVA never sent us any letter or telephoned to notify us. They just came and rang the doorbell.

These chickens were the family's pets. We had them since 1998. They provided us with eggs and much more. They belong to us and we had never consented that they be taken away.

My grandfather obediently signed a form - 'voluntary surrender of animal(s) for disposal', thinking that he was obliged by the government to give them away. Unaware of the consequences, he had signed an incomplete form which allowed my dear pets to be 'disposed of'.

I tried to contact the AVA but I never got to speak with any operator because I was being tossed about by the many operators who were all busy.

I am frustrated. There is no such thing as bird flu in Singapore. Anyway, migratory birds do not come to my area in central Singapore. They gather at Sungei Buloh, as a letter from Jurong BirdPark said in the Online Forum two days ago.

If people are so worried about bird flu, they might as well stop eating chicken altogether instead of relying on flu vaccinations and Tamiflu. In any case, most people do not come into contact with chickens, so how would they contract the disease? The disease cannot by transmitted between humans as of this moment.

My family is very upset over this matter. We were not notified. How could a government agency do this to us? It is as good as saying our chickens were confiscated by the AVA to be killed. How would you feel if the government comes to your house and takes away your pet dog or cat?

I beg whoever is given the four chickens to dispose of to please notify us and keep them for us for the time being.

Leong Mei Lin (Ms)

Straits Times Forum Online 26 Nov 05
AVA should educate people on bird flu rather than seize pet chickens
Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee

I refer to Ms Leong Mei Lin's letter in the ST Online Forum on November 25 titled 'How can AVA take away my pet chickens without telling me?'.

I can deeply empathise with Ms Leong on her family's deep sense of loss. I have had the privilege of living with canine and feline companions. I learnt that they too have feelings very much like ours. Even chickens are capable of developing the same bonds as our 'usual' pets like dogs and cats.

You read heartwarming stories of rescued chickens in this website: www.bravebirds.org

I would be distraught if the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority comes and confiscates any of my animal family members in response to my neighbours' unfounded "kiasuism" and "kiasism".

We try very hard to imbibe humane values such as kindness and compassion in the development of our society.

It was with amusement that I learned from a television programme a few years ago that the HDB estates are now called heartlands. I didn't know that before. To me, a home with a heart is a place that accommodates a colourful assortment of people that includes those who like animals and those who dislike animals.

A home with a heart also accommodates for the community animals such as stray dogs and cats that, being born on this island, are as Singaporean as we all are, but they are being severely marginalised.

The AVA's rapid response to an unfounded public complaint about Ms Leong's pet chickens by swiftly removing them and preying on the ignorance and fear of the grandfather smacks of iron-fisted cold-heartedness.

I work with elderly people in the community and I can vouch that a large number of them still have trepidation when they get letters from the government.

The AVA should educate the complainants with facts, that these chicken are free of bird flu, instead of fuelling more fears with the immediate removal of the chickens.

My heart remains in sympathy with Ms Leong and her family. I hope the chickens have not been killed yet.

Dr Tan Chek Wee
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Related articles on Bird Flu and Singapore: animal release including pets and animal abuse
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