Hong Kong pet owner arrested after dog attack.
On Tuesday, 14 April 2020, a Hong Kong woman, 64, was arrested after a viral video showed her kicking and hanging her two dogs in mid-air during a mishandled attempt to restrain her poodle, called Jazz, from biting a Pomeranian, called Pony which later died. The incident happened in the afternoon of Monday, at Lions Nature Education Centre, off Hiram’s Highway in Sai Kung.
The video depicted the woman having a heated dispute with another dog owner, after the latter claimed her dog had been bitten by one of the woman’s dogs in the park. During the confrontation, the woman’s poodle suddenly attacked the Pomeranian in the neck. The woman reacted by kicking out at her dogs, and at one point was hanging both her dogs in mid-air by lifting their leashes in a botched attempt to separate them. The video then showed the woman using her hands to open the poodle’s jaws to free the Pomeranian, which was then bleeding and motionless.
When other pet owners came to offer help and asked the woman to take the pet to the nearest animal clinic, she replied “go away”, before walking away.
After a police report was filed on early Tuesday morning, officers from Wong Tai Sin district crime squad began an investigation, and later picked up the woman in Sai Kung, arresting her for animal cruelty and disorderly conduct in a public place.
A source familiar with the case said the woman had put the poodle to sleep with the help of a vet because it was the fourth time it had attacked other dogs.
The offence of cruelty to animals under the Prevention of Cruelty Ordinance, Cap 169 carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment’ and a fine of up to HK$200,000.
Dog owners must always take responsibility for their own animals, especially so in areas where other members of the public may also be out with their pets. In instances where there has been a history of behavioural problems, it is important to take precautionary measures and to remove both yourself and your dog from any possible confrontation. Dog owners who find their animals engaging in combative behaviour with other dogs should first ensure their own emotions are managed and not to aggravate the situation further with loud voices and noises.
Main source: SCMP