Dog secured at Seletar farm trapping operation dies, AVS says it was 'alert' & 'well' while under care

A dog which was secured in a dog-capture operation at Seletar West Farmway 8 on Nov. 14 has died on Nov. 21.

Animal welfare group Causes for Animals (CAS) announced its passing in a Facebook post at 3:41pm.

Group Director for Community Animal Management at Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) Anna Wong confirmed in a statement that the dog, affectionately known as Baby Boy, died from cardiac arrest after being placed under sedation at a private veterinary clinic.

"Left us too soon": CAS

In its post, CAS said that the senior dog died shortly after being released from AVS.

"Baby Boy left us too soon. His heart gave out at our regular clinic, shortly after being bailed out from AVS," CAS said.

The organisation added that it did not choose to proceed with a post-mortem, as it would mean that Baby Boy would be sent back to AVS.

"And he's already been through more than any old farm dog should," said CAS.

According to the organisation, Baby Boy "could barely stand", and that CAS is "still at a loss over how he was said to have chased anyone".

His cremation will be held on Nov. 22, and the feeders who have cared for him "will come together to send him off with dignity".

CAS ended the post with a message of gratitude to those who care for street and shelter animals in Singapore.

"Please continue supporting the feeders, rescuers, and shelters working every day to make Singapore kinder for our street and shelter animals."

Dog was "alert" and "well" despite walking with limp: AVS

In her statement, Wong said that AVS is "saddened" by Baby Boy's passing.

She added that Baby Boy was observed to be "alert" and "well" while he was under AVS' care from Nov. 14 to the morning of Nov. 21.

This was despite the fact that Baby Boy was "walking with a slight limp".

"AVS also conducted a health check, vaccination, parasite preventatives and blood test for Baby Boy," Wong confirmed.

She added that the results of the blood test revealed that Baby Boy had moderate anaemia and some underlying inflammation.

He was later handed over to CAS at around 11:30am on Nov. 21 for rehoming under the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme, adding that the results had been shared with CAS' identified veterinary clinic.

"We understand that Baby Boy was sent to this private veterinary clinic after he was picked up by CAS. At the clinic, he went into cardiac arrest when placed under sedation."

Wong described the news as "unexpected", and confirmed that AVS is in touch with CAS to investigate the cause of death through an independent post-mortem examination.

Baby Boy was among three dogs captured within the Seletar farm area for public safety reasons following reports of four dog bite incidents there.

Wong confirmed that the other two dogs remain in AVS' care and are "observed to be well".

Top photos via Yeo Yeo/Facebook