Driver of vehicle which has injured an animal must make a police report

June 27, 2006
ST Forum Online

I refer to the letters 'Why no police action against driver when hit-and-run victim is a dog?' and 'Take a serious view of hit-and-run cases, even if the victims are animals' (ST Online Forum, June 21 and 23).

The SPCA thanks the writers for bringing this issue to light and we hope that Mr Hiew's dog is on its way to a speedy recovery.

For the benefit of motorists out there, the SPCA would like to highlight that under the Road Traffic Act, a driver of a vehicle that is involved in a road accident whereby damage or injury is caused to any person, vehicle, structure or animal, is under obligation to report the accident at a police station or to a police officer within 24 hours of the occurrence.

If any person fails to comply, he would be guilty of an offence.

In November 2005, the SPCA wrote to all the major cab companies in Singapore giving the following guidelines if they hit an animal on the road.

Stop the vehicle and check if the animal is injured.

Move the animal to a safe area if it is lying in the middle of the road.

If the animal is injured or unable to move, pick it up and bring it to the SPCA.

Alternatively, call the SPCA emergency line on 6287 5355 (ext 9) and give clear directions of the animal's location. Report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

This information was printed in the February/March 2006 edition of Cabby (a booklet printed by Comfort Transportation, CityCab and Yellow-Top Cab).

The SPCA hopes that all drivers would render assistance to an animal that their vehicle has hit (many of these accidents we realise may not be deliberate or intentional, but drivers should always render assistance and not callously drive away).

The SPCA would also like to remind dog owners to have their dogs on a leash at all times as a safety measure whilst out in a public place.

If Mr Hiew needs any clarification or assistance in pursuing this case, please call me on 6287 5355.

Deirdre Moss (Ms)
Executive Officer
SPCA