Golden retriever seen loosely leashed in back of moving lorry in Sembawang

While driving in Sembawang on Nov. 9, a woman and her brother were shocked to see a golden retriever being transported in the rear of a lorry in front of them.

The dog was leashed to the side railing in what looked like an unsafe situation, the woman told Mothership.

The lorry was driving at around 70 to 80km/h, the woman estimated, and appeared to be going even faster at certain stretches of the road.

As it was moving, the dog barked and paced the small area it was in, as seen in a video shared by the woman.

"If it had jumped, it would likely have fallen and sustained serious injuries," the woman said.

As they drove past the lorry, she saw that the driver was seated alone in the front. She believed there was sufficient space for the dog to also be kept in there for its safety.

Her brother honked the car horn, trying to alert the lorry driver, but the driver did not stop.

That same day, they reported the incident to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Transporting animals safely

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)'s Code of Animal Welfare (for Pet Owners) states that pet owners have the responsibility to ensure their pet's safety during handling and transport.

According to the code, pets should be transported in a comfortable, safe, and properly secured manner, to prevent causing injury or undue distress to the pet.

The owners should also make sure that their pet is not at risk of falling out.

Under the Animals and Birds Act 1965, the owner of an animal must take steps to ensure the animal is not kept in confinement, conveyed, lifted, carried or handled in a manner or position that subjects it to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering.

Failure to comply can be considered an offence.

Mothership has reached out to SPCA for comment.

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