Hong Kong and Animal Cruelty: An Everlasting Toxic Relationship?

After what seems to be a lifetime of advocating for change, it seems the Hong Kong Government is finally prepared to do so. The Hong Kong Government has introduced an amendment bill to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap.169) in this year's legislative programme.

Proposed amendments include introducing a positive “duty of care” on persons responsible for animals to provide their welfare needs; enhancing the provisions for prevention of animal cruelty, including the increase in the penalties and the introduction of an indictable offence; and enhancing enforcement powers to prevent animal cruelty and protect animals from suffering.

This introduction is welcomed warmly by animal advocates in Hong Kong, especially as we continue to see a spate of animal cruelty cases filling our social media and our news.

CASE 1

The corpse of a 9 1/2 year old Chow Chow dog was found in Kwai Shun Industrial Centre. The registrant of the microchip claimed that after breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, she gave her dog to to her ex-boyfriend to raise. However, she only learned that the dog was dead after receiving notification.

CASE 2

The owner of a cat that was found abandoned in a tied up plastic bag last week in Ngau Tau Kok was arrested for animal cruelty. The cat’s mouth had turned purple, presumably due to hypoxia. A passerby was kind enough to immediately free the cat and took it to the SPCA for urgent medical treatment.

CASE 3

A woman who had been taking care of four stray dogs was given a bag of rice by an alleged volunteer of an animal welfare organisation. She subsequently cooked the rice and fed the same to the dogs. Unfortunately, the four dogs collapsed and it was suspected that they had been poisoned. The Police and SPCA inspectors arrived at the scene, with the AFCD collecting the carcasses of the four dogs for further investigation.

CASE 4

A father was having a dispute with his daughter when their parrot flew up and stayed on the man’s head. The man felt annoyed and threw the parrot to the ground, causing multiple wounds to its body and blood to come out of its beak. The man was charged with animal cruelty and pleaded guilty in court. He was granted bail and is awaiting sentencing.

Main Souces: Variety