SINGAPORE – I was recently attacked by a stranger’s pet dog. The shiba inu ripped my favourite linen slacks and left me hobbling for over a week.
My home in the north of Singapore is in an area with public and private housing. I’m used to seeing families walk dogs of various sizes at all hours. Labradors patiently wait outside the laundromat; dachshunds are held in their owners’ arms outside the veterinary clinic; and toy poodles excited to go on a walk are held in check by the humans holding their leashes.
This peaceful co-existence left me unprepared for the events of Nov 4. After alighting from a bus near my home, I barely registered the approach of a man walking two small dogs.
I paid no attention to them as our paths crossed on the pavement. I had passed similar pet-human groups dozens of times without incident.
This time, however, I felt a piercing pain in my left knee. A weight dragged on my left leg.
It was dark and I could not see what was happening. I just heard a long ripping sound and felt agony as my slacks tore under the weight of the attacking dog.
Shocked and in pain, I could barely speak. “Your dog attacked me,” I said to the man, now trying to control his leaping little pet.
We quickly moved beneath a street light. I snapped photographs of my knee at once. A breeze ruffled the tatters of my slacks.
“Oh no, you’re bleeding,” the stranger said.
We exchanged phone numbers. I limped the 300m distance home, changed into shorts and headed for the medical clinic next door.
The doctor asked me whether I had been bitten or just scratched. I could not tell and neither could he. The wound was deep, and bleeding.
Cleaning and dressing it took a good amount of time, as the doctor looked for debris and fragments of tooth or claw.
I was lucky to be near a doctor, but first-aid after a dog bite can also be performed at home.
Dr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Rahman, a general practitioner at Healthway Medical, says it is important to first stop the bleeding, perhaps by applying pressure.
“If the bleeding is controlled, then you should proceed to wash the wound with water and soap, or any antiseptic available,” he says. If you have saline on hand, use that to wash and irrigate the wound.
After checking for and removing debris and soil, apply a dressing and see a doctor as soon as possible, he adds. Animal mouths are full of bacteria, so infection may follow a bite. “Other possible complications of such wounds include pain, loss of blood, scars, loss of sensation or even nerve damage,” he says.
Dr Jessica Beh, a GP at DTAP Clinic, says to seek medical attention for gaping wounds, or wounds that bleed even after a few minutes. “In some extreme cases, one might require an operation under anaesthesia to properly wash out and close the wound,” she says.
Bites on the hands, face and genitals should be taken seriously. Also seek medical care if the wound shows signs of infection – redness, pain, swelling, warmth or pus formation – or if you have health conditions such as diabetes, cancer or HIV infection, or other issues that affect the immune system, she adds.
I was given a tetanus shot but did not require the rabies vaccination, which puzzled friends and family in other parts of Asia.
Ms Jessica Kwok, group director of the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), says Singapore has been rabies-free since 1953. Dogs and cats entering Singapore need to have valid vaccinations against rabies and other diseases of concern. Before entry, the animals have to be certified healthy, free from clinical signs of infectious diseases and fit for travel.
Imported animals may be quarantined on arrival, depending on the rabies risk from their country of origin.
AVS also conducts an annual rabies vaccination exercise of dogs at coastal fish farms and Pulau Ubin.
Just to be safe, I asked the dog owner about his pet’s vaccinations – it had received the mandated canine distemper shot – and its behaviour over the next few days. It showed no signs of illness or distress, which relieved my own distress slightly.
Why did the dog attack me?
Dr Teo Boon Han, veterinarian and pet nutritionist at Canopy Veterinary Centre, says dogs may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise.
Animals might also be unusually aggressive because of illness and pain, he adds.
I now think the dog might have felt threatened as we passed each other, even though I was not paying any attention to it. The owner might also not have been holding the leash tightly enough to rein it in when he felt the animal lunge.
Ms Kwok of AVS says under Rule 22 of the Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024, a dog has to be leashed and a cat or dog has to be kept under proper control of the individual in charge when in public places.
“For meetings with non-pet owners, be mindful of personal space and keep your dog close to prevent any unwelcome advances,” she adds.
I was also surprised to be attacked by a smaller dog, when larger breeds such as German shepherds are considered more threatening and must be muzzled in public.
Dr Claire Tan, chief veterinary surgeon at Gaia Vets, says in her experience, a dog’s aggression is largely dependent on its training and socialisation, rather than breed.
“Watch their body language,” she says. “Signs such as raised fur along their back, growling, staring, baring teeth, tensed body posture and ears pinned back are all signs that they feel threatened and may bite.”
Dr Angeline Yang, founder of VetMobile, says if a dog’s aggressive behaviour continues without any medical or apparent cause, a certified vet behaviourist and a certified dog trainer could help.
My own behaviour has changed since the attack. I could not walk without discomfort for a week. I still bear a prominent scar near the left knee.
I’m fond of dogs and still am after this incident. I am just more aware now of the many canine pets in my vicinity and whether or not their handlers have a tight grip on the leash.
A few days ago, I passed the laundromat where a neighbour’s labrador was sitting patiently while the family handled a heavy load of sheets.
I noticed that its leash was slack and alarm bells went off in my brain. Instead of passing them, I took the long route to the bus stop. Better safe than bitten.
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MDDI (P) 048/10/2024. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.
