SINGAPORE: What was meant to be a joyful celebration at Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Wonderland turned into a traumatic experience for a 4-year-old boy and his family. The incident occurred after the “Garden Rhapsody” light show as the family was heading towards the snow area for “Blizzard Time.”
The boy, celebrating his sister’s birthday, suddenly knelt down in tears, revealing that he had been bitten by a dog. His mother, Cynthia Tan, filed a police report and sought assistance on Facebook as the dog owners left without providing contact details.
The family, attending the event to celebrate their daughter’s birthday, encountered two women walking three dogs. The boy was bitten by one of the dogs without any provocation, according to Tan. Confronting the dog owner, Tan’s husband was met with an admission of the dog attack but a refusal to take responsibility, claiming it occurred in a public place.
Despite the wound healing well physically, the family is concerned about potential infections. The boy, who has autism, is experiencing psychological trauma, avoiding leaving the house due to fear of another dog attack. Tan emphasized the broad spectrum of autism and appealed for understanding, expressing disappointment at misconceptions in online comments.
While the family loves dogs, Tan urged owners to be more responsible in public spaces. She emphasized the importance of societal acceptance of pets while advocating for responsible ownership. The family is actively counseling the traumatized child and seeking psychiatric support to help him overcome the experience.
