Recently, there has been a sudden spike in cases involving cruelty to birds in Hong Kong, with most of the animals suffering severe injuries as a result of the serious violence inflicted. The following are a snapshot of different avian related cruelty cases in Hong Kong.

Case 1

On 3 November, a man was arrested for beating a pigeon with a wooden stick outside Hei Wo House, after faeces had landed on him. He was granted bail, pending further investigation

Case 2

On 23rd November, a pigeon was found with a bamboo stick striking through its body in Hau Tak Estate, Tseung Kwan O. Volunteers sent the pigeon to a local veterinarian to have the stick successfully removed. The case is currently being investigated by the Hong Kong Police.

Case 3

On 2nd December, a pigeon was found with both wings badly cut which rendered it unable to fly. It was the fifth time a bird has been found with its wings cut in the same location. According to Cat Wong, an enthusiastic citizen, it took the previous injured pigeon several months to grow enough amount of feather for it to fly. She has also encouraged Hong Kong citizens to stop animal abuse and to report any instances of cruelty.

Case 4

On 6th December, a man was found catching a pigeon with his bare hands in Oi Man Estate, Ho Man Tin. After successfully catching one, the man walked away with the caught bird in his hand. Residents of the estate have said that this was not the first time for him to catch pigeons, but did not know his motive for doing so.

Case 5

On 8 December, a boy was videoed using a lighter to burn the eyes and face of a stopped dove in the Tai Hing Commercial Complex in Tuen Mun. The video was shared widely across social media platforms and the boy has since been taken in by officers of the Hong Kong Police.

Case 6

One day later, on 9 December, a white pigeon was found near the tracks of the Yuen Long Light Rail Station with both its legs cut and its tail feathers completely plucked. However, further investigation showed that the pigeon had become trapped underneath a Light Rail Train which had caused the damage. The pigeon will undergo surgery with the hope that it will be fully rehabilitated.

Case 7

On 14 December, an elderly Hong Kong man (the same man from Case 1) was arrested for the second time in six weeks on suspicion of beating a pigeon with a wooden stick. The latest incident at Tai Wo Estate took place early morning outside Sun Wo House off Tai Po Tai Wo Road. The elderly man was identified by officers from a photograph taken by another pedestrian at the scene.

Hong Kong Politician Roy Kwong Chun-yu has once again demanded a new animal welfare law in Hong Kong. He noted that most of the assailants in animal cruelty cases were not penalized, and some not even arrested. He continues to advocate for the need of a comprehensive reform to The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap 169. Penalties to cruelty to animals remain liable only on summary conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years, according to Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.

It is important that whenever you see animals being abused, respond by stopping the assailant and inform the Hong Kong Police immediately.

Courtesy of Marco Poon
Main Source: Animal Post (“香港動物報”), SCMP