KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Motorists are advised not to honk their horns at animals spotted astray along the highways to prevent the creatures from becoming panicked and uncontrollable.        

Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) deputy director-general II, Fakhrul Hatta Musa said by doing so, the animals would become muddled and could pose as a danger to both motorists and the animals themselves.         

“(Instead) when dealing with such a situation, the drivers should slow down their vehicles and help to save the animals by contacting the relevant authorities such as the PLUS (North-South Expressway) hotline, Veterinary Services Department and Perhilitan itself for the next course of action,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here, today.  

He was commenting on incidents involving an ostrich called ‘Chickaboo’ which had escaped and running along the Federal Highway on June 16, and a horse galloping away unattended in Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kota Bharu, Kelantan three days later.        

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Fakhrul Hatta said the incidents were due to negligence of its owners for causing the animals to escape, and that they could be sued if it involved accidents.   

“The licenced owner or breeder must adhere to the stipulated guidelines in securing the animal in a safe place,” he said, adding that the transfer of the animal must be done using a designated vehicle to prevent it from escaping again. — Bernama