A 60 year old man who pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals contrary to s 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap 169 for breaking the wings of a wild pigeon, was sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment.

The retired man had on his previous Court appearance, been remanded in jail custody for 14 days pending reports. As the sentence imposed by the Kwun Tong Magistrate today (14th September) was a sentence of 10 days’ imprisonment, he was released immediately.

The Magistrate spoke to the contents of the report, stating that the man had been hit by the excrement of a pigeon after buying breakfast. He then took matters into his own hands by catching the pigeon. The reports submitted that the male recognised that he had poor emotional management and vowed not only stay away from animals, but to walk under canopies in the future.

According to the CCTV footage installed in the King Lam Estate in Tsueng Kwan O, at 5:46 am, the Defendant bent down to pick up the pigeon. After holding it in his hands for approximately 4 seconds, the pigeon then fell to the ground.

After examination by experts, the pigeon in this case was found to have suffered broken wings, with bleeding coming from its right wing, hair loss, exposure of its skin and open fractures.

Due to the severity of the injuries, the pigeon had to be euthanised.

KTCC 924/2023

Courtesy of HKALPO

Main Source: The Witness