An authorisation granted two weeks ago to Animal Intervention and Rescue Organisation IRA to drive its vehicles with emergency lights and sound on was revoked by the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) on Monday, November 3.
IRA (Núcleo de Intervenção e Resgate Animal) was notified on the same day, and in addition to contesting the decision on social media, it created a public petition to have the right reinstated. Over 25,500 people have already signed the petition.
The IMT reversed its decision after receiving new opinions from entities of the National Civil Protection System, stating that one of the IRA’s vehicles used the Civil Protection identification symbol without authorisation, according to TSF. The body also justified that the animal rescue organisation, as a volunteer group, is not a civil protection agent.
The IRA initially reacted to the decision with a statement on social media, stating that the reversal ‘reflects political and corporate pressure without technical or legal basis’ and reinforced that it is an organisation “officially recognised by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and formally cooperating with the ICNF, GNR and PSP“.
The group said it would contest the decision, arguing that authorisation to drive with emergency lights ensures a “rapid response in the context of animal emergencies, fires, disasters and serious accidents” and that restricting this goes against the public interest. “We will not stop denouncing attempts at manipulation or institutional obstruction, wherever they occur,” said IRA.
As an example of their work, the animal rescue group took to social media to share the rescue of a dog on the busy Segunda Circular highway in Lisbon, which it said took “three times longer” to reach. In a second post, it reinforced that the emergency signalling is “crucial” and restricting this prevents “help from arriving on time”.
Source: NiT
