SINGAPORE – The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore has concluded the investigation into the welfare of three chows chows which were dyed to look like pandas.

In February this year, the chow chows had caused a stir online since they were spotted around town with their owner Meng Jiang.

While some found the “panda” chow chows cute, others were concerned if they being subjected to stress and cruelty.

On Feb 4, The Straits Times reported that AVA is looking into the case “to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised”.

AVA has since concluded investigation on the case, AsiaOne understands. An AVA spokesman told AsiaOne: “There was no compromise to the dogs’ health and welfare.”

“In general, the use of safe, non-toxic food dyes is unlikely to cause any harm to the dogs,” the spokesman said in a statement on July 1.

“Nevertheless, as the dogs are exposed to dog hair dye for prolonged periods, we reminded the Chow Chows’ owner to monitor the health of her pets and provide prompt veterinary attention when needed.”

The chow chows are naturally white, and the black areas on them are dyed, but Ms Jiang, 27, claims the dye used is “100 per cent organic and a natural colorant”.

According to Ms Jiang, “the product we use is readily available off the shelf in Singapore and can be bought in Singapore at dog grooming salons.”

She also told The Straits Times in an earlier report that her dogs were dyed by a qualified groomer with more than 10 years of experience, and that sensitive areas such as around the eyes, were “treated with meticulous care”.

To keep the dye in place, the process reportedly has to be repeated every six months.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) earlier weighed in on the issue, saying that they are strongly against the practice of dyeing animals’ fur.

“SPCA is strongly against such a practice and would advise pet owners to refrain from altering their pet’s appearance in this way, because it is unnatural and unnecessary. There are also potential side effects with no benefits to the animals – it can be physically harmful and subject the animal to stress in the process. Animals have natural coats and should be appreciated for what they are, rather than trying to alter them artificially. We are unaware of any law existing prohibiting the dyeing of pet’s fur.”

Ms Jiang runs the website pandachowchows.com, which offers photoshoots with her pets, named Tu Dou, Yu Mi and Dou Dou.

Cute ‘pandas’ out for walk along Orchard Road

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Facebook video screengrabs

maryanns@sph.com.sg

The state dinner that US President Barack Obama will host for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August is a clear signal to Singapore and the world of the friendship and respect between both countries, said US Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar yesterday. Singapore is one of the United States’ strongest partners in the region, and is its platform to engage Asia, he added.

Mr Wagar made these remarks at a celebration held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre to mark the 240th anniversary of US Independence Day, which falls on July 4. The occasion also marked 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the US.

Citing PM Lee’s two visits to the US this year, and trips made by top government leaders of both sides, Mr Wagar said they demonstrate the close working partnership between the two countries.

“But a state dinner shows something else,” he said of the White House dinner on August 2.

The last official visit to the US by a Singapore prime minister was by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1985.

The strategic relationship between Singapore and US is founded on robust military-to-military cooperation, said Mr Wagar.

“America’s network of alliances and security partnerships has been the bedrock of South-east Asia’s peace and security and prosperity. Singapore is our strong partner in this network,” he said. Despite the “heightened rhetoric”, he said the US belief that all men and women are created equal has not changed.

“Certainly not because of one hateful act in Orlando, or one election campaign,” said Mr Wagar, referring to a Florida club shooting that killed 49 people, and the controversial remarks about Muslims and Mexicans made by Mr Donald Trump, who is set to be the Republican nominee for the US presidential election.

PM Lee Hsien Loong and former PM Lee Kuan Yew given US state dinner honour

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The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaoabao, MFA, The White House, AFP

One highlight of the celebration was when Ms Rohini Prabhaka, a 16-year-old student of Singapore American School, sang an a capella version of Majulah Singapura and Star-Spangled Banner, to loud applause from the 2,000 guests.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang said Singapore has always valued America’s unique role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

It was the reason Singapore signed agreements in 1990 and 2005 that facilitated the continued military presence of the US in the region, and deepened their security cooperation, he said. These pacts were updated last year with the signing of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement to include partnership in new areas, such as humanitarian aid and cybersecurity.

Turning to economic cooperation, he said their free trade pact is an anchor for these ties.

He also said the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, involving 12 nations, including Singapore and the US, would further boost cooperation and signal US commitment to and confidence in the region.

“It will anchor the United States in the region, and allow it to continue playing a key role in Singapore’s growth story,” he said.

This article was first published on Jul 01, 2016.
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A drone could, in the future, be used by national water agency PUB to monitor reservoirs.

A trial of the drone started in April this year at the Marina Reservoir and PUB is now exploring if it can be used to help monitor pollution or look out for cases of illegal fishing, for example.

Separately, discussions are ongoing with potential partners to develop a drone to be used in the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System – which can go to depths of 50m.

The system consists of a network of sewers which carry used water by gravity to centralised water reclamation plants.

The drone was among five technologies unveiled at the Marina Barrage yesterday ahead of the Singapore International Water Week taking place from July 10 to 14. The others are a robotic swan that “swims” in the water to monitor water quality, automated meter reading systems to track water consumption, sensors and image analytics.

The technologies are at different stages of implementation, and will help improve water surveillance and save manpower costs, among other benefits.

PUB is getting approvals to use the drone to monitor reservoirs, said Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB’s chief sustainability officer. He added that the drone could help to quickly detect discharges into the water and trace the source of such discharges.

He said: “When someone discharges something into a canal or river, it will eventually find its way into the reservoir.” It is hard to trace the discharge to its source from the ground.

To monitor water quality, PUB has developed a robotic swan together with the National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute and the Tropical Marine Science Institute.

Designed to look like a life-sized swan, it can measure parameters such as chlorophyll and turbidity. The pilot to test out the swans in Marina and Pandan reservoirs ended last month, and PUB hopes to roll them out in the next few years.

One technology already in use is the silt imagery detection system. It monitors silty discharge such as clay and sand.

It sends out real-time alerts when it detects irregularities or when CCTV cameras are not working.

The system has been used to monitor 250 construction sites islandwide.

By next year, 800 sites are expected to adopt it, resulting in about 100,000 man-hour savings a year for contractors.

Since 2002, PUB has worked on 467 research and development projects worth $323 million.

The technologies will be showcased at the Smart Water Solutions Pavilion from July 11 to 13 during Singapore International Water Week.

Using smart technologies to improve planning and operations in water management will be a key focus at this year’s event, said its managing director Bernard Tan.

This article was first published on July 1, 2016.
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A new scheme to help people on low incomes save money and pay their debts was launched by Methodist Welfare Services yesterday.

Under the Family Development Programme, which aims to help up to 700 beneficiaries a year, two dollars will be matched for every dollar that beneficiaries set aside as savings or to pay off chronic debt, capped at $200 a month.

It will also provide training in basic financial literacy skills such as budgeting, and assist with educational costs, daily living expenses and milk supplements for babies and pregnant women.

“Many of our beneficiaries are unable to plan for the future because of the distress that debt causes, and are unable to save as they are in deficit every month,” said MWS group executive director Jenny Bong. “When crises such as illness or sudden unemployment occur, they sink further into debt and desolation.”

The charity runs 17 centres and outreach programmes supporting more than 12,000 beneficiaries.

Eligible applicants for the new programme must live in a one- to four-room HDB flat, have a maximum household income of $650 a month and total household savings of up to $10,000.

Applicants can be assessed for eligibility at MWS’ three Family Service Centres in Hougang, Yishun and Tampines.

The programme was launched by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin at MWS’ 35th anniversary dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel yesterday.

This article was first published on Jul 01, 2016.
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This month, about 840,000 Singaporean HDB households will receive up to $65 in the next installment of GST Voucher – USave rebates, depending on their flat type.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday (July 1) that with the annual rebates, those living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats can offset about three to four months of utilities bills, and one- to two-months of utilities bills for those residing in three- and four-room units.

MOF added that households owning more than one property will not qualify for the rebates.

The U-Save GST Voucher, given out over four payments yearly, is part of the permanent GST voucher scheme designed to help lower- and middle-income local households with their living expenses.

For more information on the GST Voucher – U-Save, call SP Services at 6671 7117, or email spservices@singaporepower.com.sg or visit www.gstvoucher.gov.sg.

minlee@sph.com.sg