Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Pet Dog Urination

Question:

To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) why it is not an offence for dog owners to allow their dogs to urinate on concrete flooring without cleaning up; (b) whether requesting dog owners to use water from a bottle to wash off the urine is sufficient to remove bad smells and stains; and (c) how else the Ministry addresses concerns about dog urine in public areas.

Answer:

1 While we require pet owners to clean up after their pets defecate, it is more difficult for pet owners to clean up pet urine completely. Hence, my Ministry’s approach to tackling pet urination in public places is to foster a culture of responsible pet ownership and encourage pet owners to be civic-minded and considerate.  While there are currently no plans to mandate pet owners to clean up after pet urination, we urge all pet owners to exercise social responsibility in keeping public places clean.  Pet owners should wash off pet urine to prevent bad smells, stains, and uphold public hygiene.

2 NEA and the National Parks Board (NParks) work with community leaders and Town Councils to educate pet owners on the Do’s and Don’ts of being a responsible pet owner through educational materials such as posters. Members of the public who encounter disamenities due to pet urination can provide feedback to their Town Councils or relevant agencies for their necessary action.