Animal Rights Groups Rap Reason For Not Changing Act

As reported in today’s “Today” (28 Oct ’14, page 20), SPCA and ACRES, along with several other animal welfare groups, are appealing to the Ministry of Home Affairs to reconsider its decision (as published in “Today” on 16 Oct ’14) regarding the definition of “animals” under the Road Traffic Act.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/animal-rights-groups-rap-reason-not-changing-act

We also append here the joint appeal letter submitted to the press on 26 Oct ’14:

To: The Editor

(The following animal welfare groups are signatories to this letter, listed in alphabetical order:

Action for Singapore Dogs, Agency for Animal Welfare,

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, Animal Lovers� League, Cat Welfare Society, Causes for Animals, House Rabbit Society Singapore, Humane Society Singapore, Noah�s Ark CARES, Save Our Street Dogs, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.)

We refer to the decision made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) not to amend the definition of animals under the Road Traffic Act.

Under the Road Traffic Act (RTA), enacted on 1 January 1963, section 84(6), it states that an �animal� is defined as �any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog�. The existing traffic law�s classification refers mainly to farm animals which is not at all relevant in today’s context; that is, the above animals are not owned by the general populace (with the exception of the dog).

We see the need to widen the scope of an �animal�, in particular, to include cats which are popularly kept as pets today, and wildlife. While the current law is derived from societies where farm animals are protected, the policy in general arises from a recognition that animals matter to humans or certainly to a significant part of our society.

We appeal to the MHA to reconsider amending the definition of �animal� under the RTA section 84(6) to make it consistent with the definition of an �animal� in the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) section 2, so that it includes other animals such as cats, and wild animals which are potential victims of road accidents. The SPCA has noted an increased incidence of cats, in particular, reported as road accident casualties in recent years. The current legislation, as it stands now, is archaic. MHA has to contemporise the law to place significant value on community animals and wildlife that extends beyond utility.

We recognise MHA�s concerns for the safety of the motorist concerned to stop the vehicle after having hit an animal. But if the entire argument as put forth by MHA is premised on the safety of the motorist, then the argument fails miserably because the dangers of stopping after an accident presents themselves when a mule is hit, should that situation occur. The law saw fit to place the value of farm animals above this perceived risk, and thereby acknowledge the importance of motorists taking responsibility for their actions in rendering assistance in the hope that the life could be saved, or at the very least the carcass be removed away so that there was no danger to other motorists.

Why, then, should this be different with cats and other wild animals that now thrive and flourish in Singapore?

Due to a heightened level of animal welfare consciousness in Singapore, expectations have risen in terms of rendering assistance to different species of animals in distress, whether pet, stray or wild animals. Today, only two animal welfare organisations � the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Animal Concerns, Research and Education Society (ACRES) provide 24-hour emergency rescue operations, seven days a week, to aid animals involved in emergency situations, including traffic accidents, so the obligation to render assistance to any type of animal in need can readily be justified.

Amending Section 84(6) of the Road Traffic Act to align it with the Animals & Birds Act definition is timely and will make it more relevant in a modernised context, especially in relation to the types of animals that have been typically involved in road accidents today.

We appeal to the motorist to pull over at an appropriate spot – making sure the driver is free from any danger if the road conditions are favourable – to check on the animal and/or rush the animal to the nearest veterinary clinic for medical attention. Help can also be rendered to the animal, by contacting the SPCA at 62875355 ext 9, ACRES� emergency rescue hotline at 97837782, or the police for assistance. We urge motorists to not leave the casualty unattended in its trauma.



SINGAPORE � Two animal welfare groups have appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to reconsider its decision to maintain the current definition of animals � which does not include some pets and wildlife common on the island � under the Road Traffic Act. The MHA told this newspaper recently t�

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/animal-rights-groups-ra..

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SPCA Singapore

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Singapore) is the first registered animal welfare organisation in Singapore. The two main objectives of SPCA Singapore are: to promote kindness to animals and birds, and to prevent cruelty to animals and birds.

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