Animal rights lobbyists here have appealed against the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) decision to leave the Road Traffic Act unchanged in regards to the definition of animals.
Activists have fought for penalisation of motorists who negligently run over animals by suggesting that the scope of definition be widened for animals under the Act, but MHA has rejected the calls, citing that it may not always be safe for motorists to stop their vehicles. The current definition of animals under the act only constitute those with farm value — dogs, horses, mules, sheeps, pigs, goats and cattles — and failure to stop and help them is considered a crime. Drivers could face a hefty fine of $3,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) have issued a joint statement, stating that other pets and and wildlife including cats, monkeys, birds and rabbits should also be included in the Act.
“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,” they wrote.
The groups have mentioned that they recognize the concerns for the safety of motorists, but take issue with the perception that farm animals have higher value than other animals, who are also as susceptible to road accidents.
And though the pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore may not have anything to do with the Road Traffic Act, the authorities should take a deeper look into how they're being treated anyway.
Photo: epSos.de via Flickr
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Animal rights lobbyists here have appealed against the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) decision to leave the Road Traffic Act unchanged in regards to the definition of animals.
Activists have fought for penalisation of motorists who negligently run over animals by suggesting that the scope of definition be widened for animals under the Act, but MHA has rejected the calls, citing that it may not always be safe for motorists to stop their vehicles. The current definition of animals under the act only constitute those with farm value — dogs, horses, mules, sheeps, pigs, goats and cattles — and failure to stop and help them is considered a crime. Drivers could face a hefty fine of $3,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) have issued a joint statement, stating that other pets and and wildlife including cats, monkeys, birds and rabbits should also be included in the Act.
“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,” they wrote.
The groups have mentioned that they recognize the concerns for the safety of motorists, but take issue with the perception that farm animals have higher value than other animals, who are also as susceptible to road accidents.
And though the pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore may not have anything to do with the Road Traffic Act, the authorities should take a deeper look into how they're being treated anyway.
Photo: epSos.de via Flickr
Read Also:
WHAT: MHA declares motorists not liable in hit-and-run accidents involving monkeys
Animals at Underwater World Singapore living in stressful conditions: Report
Apart from CANCER, dolphin's in good health: UWS spokesperson