Home affairs and law minister K. Shanmugam has weighed in on the issue of a seemingly healthy pet dog allegedly put down by a vet at the request of its owners, which has gripped animal lovers in Singapore.

The minister, who has come to be known as an advocate for issues pertaining to animal welfare, requested for dog lovers to practise restraint in condemning the parties involved before full investigations are carried out by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board.

Vet wrote to Shanmugam

Shanmugam put up his Facebook post on May 13, after he had received a letter from a fellow veterinarian.

The vet claimed to also have been on the receiving end of threats and doxxing vigilantism antics previously, and requested the minister to "tamp down cyber-bullying where it arises if we are to build a gracious society in Singapore".

The vet wrote: "Minister, the act of euthanising an animal is surely one of the hardest parts of our job, and one which no vet takes lightly."

"It is hard enough having to deal with the emotions of ending a life, without also having to live in the constant fear of being ‘doxxed’ by individuals who seek to take matters into their own hands by engaging in cyber bullying."

The vet added: "I strongly urge the government to take the views of the SVA (Singapore Veterinary Association) into consideration."

Let matter be investigated

Shanmugam's response acknowledged the outrage that some animal lovers feel.

He wrote: "I think many who expressed their views, were genuinely upset, and may not have considered the effect their cyber comments may have on the targets."

However, he also wrote that such reactions should not result in people taking matters into their own hands.

Shanmugam added: "Most of us don’t go out and hit people, when we are angry. The same applies, on the net."

He also requested for the public to withhold judgement as the matter was being investigated.

He wrote: "This particular matter is pending investigations by AVS, which should be allowed to do its job, without public pressure, one way or another."

You can read his full post here:

[ The putting down of Loki ]

There has been a fair bit of online discussion about Loki, a puppy that was put down.

A senior vet wrote to me, expressing her deep disquiet, and concern, about the way the professionalism of the vet involved in the matter, has been called into question, without the vet being given a proper opportunity to state a defence.

This was said by the vet, in the email:

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"I am a senior veterinarian in a small animal veterinary practice...

I wish to bring your attention to the recent case of Loki, a young dog which was euthanised at a veterinary clinic in Singapore...

In the aftermath of this incident, the clinic in question has faced a barrage of vitriolic attacks and criticism, even though the full story has not emerged, and though the matter is still pending investigation by the AVS.

As someone who has previously been the subject of online harassment by former clients, I have first hand experience of the fear and distress that the clinic’s staff, as well as the vet in question, is likely going through. This incident also called to mind another case of a dog called Tammy years ago, where several members of the veterinary community received death threats from members of the public. This was before POHA was enacted.

Minister, the act of euthanising an animal is surely one of the hardest parts of our job, and one which no vet takes lightly. It is hard enough having to deal with the emotions of ending a life, without also having to live in the constant fear of being ‘doxxed’ by individuals who seek to take matters into their own hands by engaging in cyber bullying. While we must always tolerate fair criticism, we must tamp down cyber-bullying where it arises if we are to build a gracious society in Singapore.

Regarding recent discussions pertaining to the need to adjust our laws around the euthanasia of animals, I strongly urge the government to take the views of the SVA (Singapore Veterinary Association) into consideration. You may reach them at [email protected]

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my email. I can be reached at XXX for any clarifications."

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I can understand people being upset, and wanting justice. No one likes to see a puppy, full of life, put down.

But we have to get all the facts first, understand why the vet in this matter came to a view.

Coming to conclusions, calling into question the professionalism of the vet, without all the facts, is a bit unfortunate.

Reputations can be damaged, and deep distress can be caused, as pointed out by the vet who wrote to me.

Most of us don’t go out and hit people, when we are angry. The same applies, on the net. We can't go and hit out at people, whenever we feel that some injustice has been done, we can't just react and hit out, with our emotions, when other people are involved.

I think many who expressed their views, were genuinely upset, and may not have considered the effect their cyber comments may have on the targets. I hope we can become a society where people will first get the facts, then express our feelings, in a way that doesn’t invite more violence. And if there has been wrongdoing, there are avenues for justice to be done.

This particular matter is pending investigations by AVS, which should be allowed to do its job, without public pressure, one way or another.