SFA inspects Bedok hawker centre after woman seen with unleashed dog on chair
A diner was surprised to see a woman placing her dog on a chair at a hawker centre in Bedok, despite rules prohibiting pets in such dining spaces.
Stomper Anonymous shared a video of the incident, which took place at Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market on Feb 25 at around 10am.
"There are signboards at the hawker centre that disallow dogs except guide dogs," said the Stomper.
Yet it is common to see pet owners ignoring the rule, claimed the Stomper.
"Either they allow their dog to sit on the hawker centre chair or they leash the dog around a pillar while they do their errands," the Stomper said.
According to the Stomper, unattended dogs may sometimes bark and disturb diners.
In this particular instance, the Stomper noted that the dog was also on the chair without a leash.
"This is inconsiderate and irresponsible for those who dislike dogs and may pose a risk to children," said the Stomper, adding that animals may become stressed in crowded environments.
The Stomper also expressed concerns about the presence of dogs for diners with specific dietary or religious restrictions.
"Further down is a row of Muslim food stalls, all closed for Ramadan. Otherwise, one can imagine the lack of religion and cultural sensitivity."
Singapore Food Agency: Pets not allowed in hawker centres
According to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), pets are not allowed at hawker centres and their outdoor refreshment areas.
In response to a Stomp query, SFA said on March 12 that it had looked into the Stomper's feedback but did not come across any patrons bringing pets to the hawker centre during its inspection.
SFA added: "For retail food businesses not serving pet food, patrons are allowed to dine with their pets in the outdoor refreshment areas."
It reminded the public that pets are not allowed in hawker centres as these are communal spaces and all patrons play a role in providing a conducive environment for everyone.
See something interesting? Contribute your story to us.
Explore more on these topics
