THERE is a dog-bite epidemic in Singapore.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) revealed recently that while there were only 28 such incidents in 2004, there have already been 65 attacks to date this year. By contrast, the population of licensed dogs - at 55,220 now - increased by only a third over the same period.

There are already laws on dangerous dogs here. An owner whose dog attacks someone can be fined up to $5,000 and, upon conviction, must also compensate the victim up to $2,000. Current law imposes strict liability. That is, unless the victim had no business being inside the owner's home or premises, a dog owner is deemed responsible whenever his pet bites someone.

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