Road accidents: But what about cats ...and other mammals?

Under the Road Traffic Act, only eight animals with farm value are protected - a ruling from a bygone era
Kezia Toh Straits Times 26 Feb 12;

Cast a wider net of protection for animals under the Road Traffic Act, animal welfare groups are urging.

The law states that any motorist involved in an accident where a person or an animal is injured must stop to help the victim.

However, as now defined, an animal is any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog.

This leaves out many others, such as cats.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has approached the Law Ministry about reworking the legislation, said its executive director Corinne Fong.

Other groups, such as animal advocacy group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) and the Cat Welfare Society, are also calling for the Act to cast a wider net to extend to all mammals.

They hope to see it in line with the wider Wild Animals and Birds Act, which states that it is an offence to trap, keep or kill wild animals and birds (except those in the Schedule such as crows, mynahs and pigeons) without a licence from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

Ms Veron Lau, vice-president of the Cat Welfare Society, said: 'The Act, as it stands, is a relic from a bygone era as it covers only animals with farm value.'

'Society has progressed since, to the point when we do not care about animals just for their economic value, and letting any animal suffer without rendering help is considered by many to be callous and anti-social,' she added.

The furore emerged after national bowler Remy Ong was involved in an alleged hit-and-run on Sunday. He was driving along Changi Coast Road when his car allegedly hit a stray dog which later died.

A backlash from netizens ensued. They blasted the athlete after news of the incident went viral online.

Eight puppies were later found in the area by different people, who called the SPCA for help. Five of the puppies have been fostered out, while the remaining three are being treated for a mild skin condition.

They will then be fostered out.

The incident has also prompted netizens to call for Mr Ong to adopt these puppies to 'take responsibility'.

But fosterers should have the right intentions and know how to care for them, said Ms Fong.

The groups were at a public forum yesterday to lobby for enhancements to the existing animal-cruelty laws. Minister for Law and Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam was there.

The forum comes as hit-and-run cases are getting more common. SPCA, for example, sees nearly 30 animals in road accident cases each month.

The society runs an emergency hotline, where a rescue officer will be dispatched to an accident scene as soon as possible.

Another group, the Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), sees one to two hit-and-run cases involving dogs every other month.

Out of every 10 dogs rescued, about three are hit-and-run victims.

Some dogs may also be dead on the scene or die enroute to the vet, said its president, Mr Ricky Yeo.

Meanwhile, Acres gets an average of 150 calls to its 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Hotline a month, of which one or two cases are hit-and-run involving wild animals, said executive director Louis Ng.

The callers are usually people reporting wild animals such as monitor lizards, turtles, civets and pythons.

But it is not all the fault of the driver - letters to this newspaper's Forum Page have argued that a stray dashing across the road can also result in a serious traffic accident when drivers swerve to avoid the animal.

There were also calls to nip the problem by reducing the number of strays.

Meanwhile, lawyers say there is no hard- and-fast rule when a driver hits an animal. Drivers who fail to stop and help after an accident can be fined up to $3,000 or jailed for up to a year. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for up to two years.

Criminal lawyer Chia Boon Teck asked: 'Should you stop the car, move the dog to the side of the road and drive off, or drive the dog to the nearest vet?'

It is good enough to stop the vehicle and call for help, said criminal lawyer Josephus Tan. 'But to play safe, carry the injured animal to the side of the road,' he said.

But the rules of engagement are still fuzzy.

Mr Chia said: 'There is no end to it - but the more you do, the less likely you will be accused of infringing the law.'

HELPING INJURED ANIMALS

WILD ANIMALS

Call the Acres Wildlife Rescue Hotline for advice on 9783-7782. It operates 24 hours.

Do not pick animals up with your hands, even if you are wearing gloves.

If the animal is severely injured or immobile, place a container over it, slide the lid or a thin board underneath, gently turn the container so the animal ends up at the bottom, then cap it.

Make sure that there are breathing holes.

To treat for mild shock, keep the animal warm, quiet, and in a dark container.

OTHER ANIMALS

Call the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on 6287-5355. It operates 24 hours.

Place a distress cone or triangle to cordon off the space.

Check if the animal is moving or breathing. If it is still conscious or breathing, prepare to move it to the side of the road.

Use a strip of cloth to wrap the muzzle tightly and tie it behind its neck, to prevent the animal from snapping defensively.

Use a piece of cardboard and slide it under the animal.

Avoid carrying the animal as the spine or bones may be fractured, but use the cardboard to slide the animal safely to the side of the road.