Student arrested over online threat to poison dogs.
On 23 April 2021, the Hong Kong police arrested a 25-year-old student and cat owner for allegedly making an online threat by claiming to have left poisonous substances to dogs over various parts of the city.
The police suspected that the man had made the alleged threat after reading about a six-week-old kitten being bitten to death by a shiba inu at the Hong Kong Pet Show 2021 held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in mid-April. It was reported that on 18 April 2021, a cat owner who was also an exhibition staff member posted on social media that her kitten was bitten by a shiba inu dog in a pet stroller, and the kitten had subsequently died of having a broken neck. The cat owner reported the incident to the police, and the Wan Chai Criminal Investigation Unit is currently investigating a possible animal cruelty case case, but no arrests have been made to date.
The day after the incident, a message was found on a Facebook group for cat lovers claiming that chocolates have been placed on the roadsides of five undisclosed districts of the city, and that such districts would be known to the public once there were reported cases of dog poisoning. Chocolate is highly toxic and poisonous for dogs because it contains a substance known as theobromine which cannot be readily metabolized by dogs. Consumption of chocolates by dogs could result in theobromine poisoning which can produce, amongst others, muscle tremors and heart attacks.
The message was subsequently deleted after it led to public concern about the safety of animals in the city and public condemnation for the comments. In February 2021 alone, there were at least 15 suspected cases of dog poisoning with six dogs killed within the span of one week.
According to Senior Inspector Liu Tsz-chai of Sha Tin District Crime Squad, the Police had arrested the 25-year-old on suspicion of causing public nuisance under common law (an offence which carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment) for falsely claiming that he had left poison (i.e. chocolates) on the roadsides. The police stressed that there was no evidence suggesting that the suspect has in fact planted any poison on the city’s streets, and that they would carry out further investigations. During the arrest, two mobile phones and 1 computer were seized for inspection.
As of 23 April 2021, the suspect was held for questioning and had not been charged.
Liu reminded members of the public that spreading false information online which could threaten public safety can be a nuisance offence under the common law, and that the police would continue monitoring online messages which might break the law and would take action if necessary.
Under Hong Kong law, the Dangerous Dogs Regulations (Cap. 167D) provides special regulations on the control of fighting dogs, dangerous dogs and large dogs (i.e. dogs weighing over 20kg). Under the Regulations, dangerous dogs and fighting dogs are required to be securely muzzled and held on a leash at all times in public places. Any contravention of the regulations could result in a maximum fine of $50,000 and 6 months imprisonment.
Courtesy of Nicole Liang.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.