Handling of snake at Scotts Road is "terrible from start to finish", says Acres

Update on Jan 30:

In response to media queries, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said that the python has been removed and handed over to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

AVA said it is investigating the alleged mishandling of the snake, and added that cruelty to animals is an offence under the Animals & Birds Act. 

AVA issues guidelines on proper handling of snakes to all pest control and wildlife management agencies here, it said.

For example, snakes should not be unduly harmed by those handling them and appropriate equipment should be used to catch them.

"AVA investigates all feedback relating to animal cruelty, and will not hesitate to take enforcement actions against offenders," it said.

Original article:

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) has slammed the way a local pest control company handled a python that was caught at Scotts Road on Tuesday morning (Jan 29).

A video of the incident was posted on several Facebook pages including Fabrications About the PAP and Everyday SG.

In the video, three men wearing navy blue T-shirts are seen trying to wrangle the huge snake into a sack but appear to have difficulty doing so.

(Story continues after video)

https://www.facebook.com/FabricationsAboutThePAP/videos/386092122196608/

The snake is seen thrashing about and when one of them picks it up near its head, he gets bitten.

He then steps on the snake in an effort to get the python to let go.

A man wearing a security uniform and another passer-by are seen joining in to help.

After alerting the society to the video, Mr Kalai Vanan, Acres' deputy chief executive officer, told Stomp that the snake was very poorly handled.

"Acres did not receive a call for this case," he said.

"We understand that a pest control company had handled the snake

"From the video, the handling of the snake is terrible from start to finish.

"The snake was stepped on and handled very roughly.

"Poor handling skills caused the handler to get bitten as well.

"Snakes are wild animals protected by law and they deserve better handling and care.

"We urge members of the public to call the ACRES wildlife rescue hotline at 97837782 should wild animals be sighted in distress."