Dog driven on car roof: Cruelty or not?
On Tuesday afternoon May 15, 2012, the dog was sighted on top of the moving vehicle in the vicinity of Harrigan, in the Second District and continued along the road, heading towards the Sage Mountain area. The animal was scene doing a “balancing act” as he seemed to be trying to stay in place as the vehicle which had a taxi sign and license plate, continued along its route at what can be termed as moderate speed.
Some persons were seen pointing towards the animal and exclaiming and this reporter was driving directly behind the vehicle.
While the animal seemed to be visibly fine on top of the car with only his neck tied to the car, can this way of riding an animal amount to cruelty?
A call was made to the Traffic Department of the Road Town Police Station, and while a traffic officer explained that there is no specific law in the books that forbids the animal from being ridden on top of the car, there is the Animal Protection Act which speaks to cruelty to animals.
Cruelty to animals is determined based on the circumstances of the situation. According to the Animal Protection Act Cap. 94, someone who is found to be cruel to an animal can face a fine of $120 or six months in prison.
Furthermore, explanations of why an animal may be ridden on top of a car were sought and advice as to whether it can be for a medical reason or being a dangerous animal. However, veterinarians contacted explained that if an animal is dangerous it should have been placed in a carrier and or muzzled but being driven on the roof of a car was not an option.
Recently in the United States, the story of Republic Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney riding his dog in a carrier on the roof of his back back in the 80s created quite a stir and led to protest by animal activists.
It was reported in the Boston Globe in 2007 that in 1983, Romney and his wife took a road trip from Boston to Ontario to stay at their family cottage on Lake Huron.
They also brought along their Irish Setter, Seamus, who spent the entire 12-hour trip in a carrier strapped to the roof of their station wagon.
Somewhere along the way, presumably stressed by the extreme conditions he was subjected to, Seamus loosed his bowels, soiling himself, the crate, and the rear of the vehicle. Romney then pulled over at a service station, "borrowed a hose, washed down Seamus and the car, then hopped back onto the highway."
Romney has since dodged allegations of dog abuse on the matter.
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