Death of 'aggressive' puppy: Lawyers to settle matter, says Shanmugam

The issue of Tammy, the "aggressive" seven-month-old mongrel put down by her owners, is now being dealt with by lawyers, Law Minister K. Shanmugam said on Sunday.

After weighing in on the controversy last week, he said that it "should be for them to look at and advise the parties".

Speaking to reporters at an active ageing carnival in Yishun, Mr Shanmugam said many people had written posts on his Facebook page about the issue.

"People know that I'm a sympathiser in terms of animal rights," he said.

"They sent a petition to me, lots of people have been writing to me, and I just set out the facts."

In a post last Wednesday, the minister said that animal welfare volunteer Ada Ong, 35, who found Tammy a home with adopter Alison McElwee, "should get a lawyer to pursue the matter".

He was responding to online criticism over Ms McElwee's decision to have Tammy put down earlier this month.

Explaining his post on Sunday, Mr Shanmugam said: "Now, I am a lawyer, I have some views. I gave her my views. Of course, I don't want to go in public to say what my views were. Looking at the facts that she gave me, I felt that I should ask her to see a lawyer."

He added: "Right is right, wrong is wrong. Now that we have asked lawyers to look at it, I should not comment.

"But when I see something that is happening that I feel needs to be dealt with, I do my best to go in and help."

A veterinarian at The Animal Clinic agreed to euthanise the dog after it allegedly bit Ms McElwee and her children and "was aggressive" during examinations.

But professional dog trainer Ricky Yeo, who worked with Tammy for three sessions between July and August, said he had not detected "any signs of aggression during the training sessions".

Mr Shanmugam was speaking to reporters at Nee Soon GRC's Active Ageing Carnival on Sunday. It was also attended by fellow Nee Soon GRC MPs Lim Wee Kiak, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Lee Bee Wah and Patrick Tay.

More than 2,000 residents attended the event, involving a mass workout, brisk walking and dance performances.

There were also booths promoting interest groups, health and fitness tips and games.

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