Animal Control Guys May Be Punished by Singapore for Excessive Force in Retic Removal

[Ax01]

what happens when urbanization clashes w/ the animal kingdom? well u might sometimes find an inner-city wild animal. in the PacNW, we get alotta coyotes and the occasional black bear sighting and capture in our Seattle streets. if u are in Singapore, u might get a street Reticulated Python.

so earlier today in Singapore time, an animal/pest control squad was dispatched to remove a 9-10ft Retic from downtown. the big snake did not go down w/o a fight! looks like the 4-5 guys had 1 trash/litter picker-upper, no snake hook, a small pillowcase and at least they had gloves. thank goodness for 1 guy they had gloves b/c it looks like he took a hard bite.

anyways this incident is becoming more newsworthy now b/c there was video of the snake removal and it seems a Singapore gov agency is investigating it for excessive force! one of the guys, the one that was bit, stepped on the Retic as they wrestled it for control. maybe others did as well. vids are in the newslink below. in the second vid: i see the guy get bit around 25seconds, he steps on the Retic twice around 30seconds, 4-5 guys wrestles the Retic as it begins to coil, the glove of the guy that was bit is removed from the Retic's jaws at 1:33seconds, i think there's blood on the ground. not sure if it's from the guy or the snake, but u could see him squatting in the background, wincing in pain.

was this excessive force? were these guys competent? should these guys be punished? does the Retic deserve justice?




story and vids here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...dling-11181198

AVA investigating alleged mishandling of snake at Tang Plaza

SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said on Tuesday night (Jan 29)
that it was investigating the alleged mishandling of a snake at Tang Plaza.

Photos and videos of the python lurking outside the building along busy Orchard Road were circulated on
social media earlier that day.

In footage uploaded by Facebook user Tess Fernando, the python, which looked to be about 3m long, was
partially coiled up behind a recycling bin.

Another video put up by user Rabbikhan Khan showed four men attempting to capture the python.

In the two-minute video, the python was seen biting the hand of one of the men, which appeared gloved.
The man, who was wearing a shirt bearing the word "Anticimex", later stepped on the python as it
struggled.

AVA said the python was removed and handed to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

"Cruelty to animals is an oence under the Animals and Birds Act. AVA has issued a set of guidelines on
the proper handling of snakes to all pest control and wildlife management agencies in Singapore," the
authority said.

"For example, snakes should not be unduly harmed by the persons handling it and appropriate equipment
should be used to catch them.

"AVA investigates all feedback relating to animal cruelty and will not hesitate to take enforcement action
against oenders," it added.

The authority also advised members of the public not to approach, disturb, feed or try to catch wildlife,
including snakes. They should keep a safe distance from them and ensure that children and pets are also
kept away, it said.