SINGAPORE, March 24 — Ms Summer Sia was having dinner at a coffee shop in Serangoon last week when plainclothes officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) fined her S$300 (RM779).

Her offence: She had taken her pet chihuahua in a cloth bag into the coffee shop.

“I really didn’t know that having a pet with us at a non-air-conditioned establishment is an offence,” said the 23-year-old undergraduate.

In an informal poll of 65 respondents that TODAY conducted, three-quarters were as clueless as Ms Sia about a food hygiene regulation under the Environmental Public Health Act prohibiting live animals from being taken into eateries.

Even some animal welfare groups were unaware of this regulation, which carries fines of S$300 for first-time offenders, while repeat offenders may be taken to court and fined up to S$2,000.

Exemptions are given for visually disabled people with specially trained guide dogs, said an NEA spokesperson.

But in all other circumstances, patrons should not take their pets into food outlets “in order to safeguard the health and hygiene of their fellow diners”, she added.

Pet owners who wish to dine with their pets should patronise pet cafes that have appropriate infrastructure and operational processes to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, said the spokesperson.

Although figures provided by the NEA show the number of offences is low — there were an average of four cases each year in 2012 and last year — some feel the penalties are too harsh.

Among those polled by TODAY, two-thirds said a fine of S$300 was too high and three-quarters suggested a maximum fine of S$150.

Some animal welfare groups are hoping the authorities will review the regulation, adding that a warning should suffice for first-time offenders — especially if the pet owners had acted responsibly.

Mr Louis Ng, founder and Chief Executive of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, said the regulation does not send a message of co-existence or tolerance.

“As long as conditions are in place, such as if the animal is kept beside the owner at all times and if the owners pick up and clean any faeces or urine, then (taking the animal into the eatery) should be allowed,” he said.

Mr Ricky Yeo, President of Action For Singapore Dogs, said his society thinks the rule is too strict, citing how, in Europe, pets are allowed in restaurants, public places and even on public transport.

“The onus is on the owners to ensure their pets do not pose a public nuisance.”

Some of the groups suggested setting aside a section of an eatery where pets are allowed — “just like there is a section for smokers”, noted Mr Yeo.

Ms Fiona Foo, founder of HOPE Dog Rescue, said a more “reasonable” fine could be S$50 or S$75.

“After all, apart from having the dog sit in a coffee shop, there is no real abuse or crime committed as compared with, perhaps, a dog abuser.”

Ms Sia, who is appealing to the NEA for her case to be reviewed, said: “I definitely won’t take my dog to an eatery any more. But perhaps education and a warning would be better to teach pet owners about responsible behaviour.”

Other animal welfare groups agreed.

Said Ms Madeline Chia, a volunteer with Noah’s Ark CARES: “It would benefit pet owners if the regulation was reviewed and if it was more heavily publicised or promoted.”

She added that more could also be done to educate pet owners on how to be considerate towards others in public and ways to live harmoniously with the community.

Ms Eunice Nah, Volunteer Chief Advocate of the Agency for Animal Welfare, added: “Often, coffee shops will post signs forbidding pet (owners) from taking their pets (into the coffee shops), but we have never seen any fines associated with such signs.” ― Today