On March 26, 2018, a driver travelling along Portsdown Road hit a dog and then drove off.

This incident, which took place around 8.45am, was caught on video by another car's dashboard camera, and then uploaded onto Facebook group ROADS.sg.

Hit-and-run

According to the video, a dog dashed across the road and was knocked over by a vehicle.

*Warning viewers may find the following images distressing*

This is of course not the first incident of a dog hit-and-run.

In 2012, bowler Remy Ong knocked down a dog and left the scene. He claimed that he was unaware of what happened, but returned to the accident scene afterward as he said he "felt uneasy."

In this case, however, the driver did not stop nor return to check on the dog despite having an opportunity to do so.

The uploader observed that the driver did not make a u-turn to check back on the dog even though there was a roundabout to turn around.

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When the uploader stopped next to the vehicle at the traffic light and asked the driver why he did not stop, he responded: "What you want me to do? What you expect me to do?"

He also brushed away their questions with several "I don't knows."

This is the full video:

Illegal under Road Traffic Act

Using this video as evidence, a police report was lodged.

According to the Road Traffic Act, it is illegal to not stop and help the animal after an accident. Failure to do so could result in a S$3,000 fine or a jail term of up to a year.

Animals listed in the Act include a dog, horse, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or cattle.

So what should you do if you accidentally hit an animal?

These are the guidelines laid out by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA):

1. Stop your car safely.

2. Stay at the scene.

3. Contact the SPCA at 62875355 ext. 9.

4. If you intend on approaching the animal:

- Be aware of your surroundings – watch out for other cars or anything else that might put you or anyone else in danger.

- If you’re approaching an injured animal, be very careful. It will probably be very scared and might try to bite or scratch you in fear.

- If you realise you have hit someone’s pet, you may want to see if you can locate its tag to access the contact details of its owner.

SPCA would then go down to the scene to help the animal.

Dog saved

The uploader stated that they "returned back to check on the dog but it was no longer there."

It turned out that a kind stranger called SPCA emergency to take the dog back to SPCA, where the dog was found to have sustained a hip fracture.

Fortunately, though, the vet managed to stabilise the dog's condition and the dog is currently under SPCA care.

SPCA also clarified that the dog will not be put down.

Top photo from Facebook video.

Here’s a totally unrelated but equally interesting story:

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