No charges laid despite repeated suffering and death of cats.

The Hong Kong Police have decided not to charge a couple who had adopted and fostered cats for the HK Saving Cat and Dog Association (“HKSCDA”), despite many of the cats suffering not only serious injuries but also death.

Back in February 2020, the HKCSDA along with other volunteers, discovered that cats adopted and fostered by a couple within a short period of time consistently suffered from bone fracture(s), broken teeth, weight loss, swelling of different body parts, scarring, open wounds, and hair loss. Out of the total number of cats fostered, it was reported that 4 cats had died from the injuries sustained whilst in the care of the couple.  

Upon learning of the consistent suffering and deaths of adopted and foster cats, HKSCDA filed a report with the Hong Kong Police Force (“the Police”). However, HKSCDA was only recently informed by the Police that after investigation, they will not be pressing any charges against anyone due to insufficient evidence

The HKSCDA had been alerted by the couple that one of the adopted cats has been crushed to death whilst another cat had been injured. Linda, the HKSCDA staff in charge, conducted a home inspection where the couple alleged that whilst pulling out a bed, one of the adopted cats, who was in the space between the mattress and the bottom of the bed, was crushed to death. Linda considered the death to be suspicious and alerted the police.

According to Linda, the couple had previously returned an adopted cat to HKSCDA in a terrible state. The cat was incredibly malnourished, had swelling of its face and hair loss on its tail amongst other injuries. The couple alleged that the injuries were caused by fighting with other cats. After the reported incidents came to light, more volunteers came forward with similar information on the couple.

It was reported that also in February 2020, Ms. Chow, a volunteer for HKSCDA went to pick up a foster cat from the couple who had been acting as a foster home. Ms. Chow discovered that it was severely injured: with a broken tail, fracture in one leg and another leg starting to rot off. Furthermore, many of the wounds sustained also began displaying symptoms of osteomyelitis (a bone infection). The couple claimed that the cat's tail was broken by the cage. Ms. Chow brought it to the vet but unfortunately the cat succumbed to its injuries and died a day later.

On a separate occasion, another volunteer went to retrieve an adopted cat from the couple after learning about the couple's misdeeds. Similarly, this cat also suffered cuts and bruises all over its body, broken teeth, injuries on the back of its neck, swollen and disfigured legs and there was also a built up of pus in the wounds on its paws. Again, the couple alleged that those were self-inflicted injuries caused by the cat kicking the cage. The volunteer suspected that the cat was confined to the cage for long periods of time, and reported it to the Police.

It was also reported that this couple once revealed on their self-run fansite for their cats, that a cat died in January 2020, but did not specify from what cause.

Despite numerous reports made, the Police only classified the cases as discovery of animal carcasses and passed them to Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit of the District Investigation Team 1, Sau Mau Ping District (虐待動物調查專隊秀茂坪警區刑事調查隊第一隊) for further handling.

These incidents further cement the need for Hong Kong to introduce a positive duty of care for all owners and persons responsible for animals. Any owner or person responsible for an animal, who fails to adhere or maintain the welfare needs of their animals will commit an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap 169.

Cap 169 is largely reactive, and action can only be taken once an animal has suffered unnecessarily. The amendments to introduce a tortious concept of duty of care, would present a new concept for pet owners and those responsible for animals in Hong Kong, and would be a positive step in strengthening and protecting the welfare of animals.

Courtesy of Jaime Lam and Amelia Wang.

Main Source: HKAnimalPost