Recently, there have been a number reports related to injuries to wild cows and buffaloes on Lantau Island. This has since prompted Hong Kong Police to investigate further, and have classified the matter under animal cruelty offences.

Between 15 November and 27 November, four cows were found injured and one dead due to severe blood loss. The cows had wounds around their necks, legs and genitals that appeared to be clean cuts. Local residents have suspected that the injuries were as a result of humans using water pipes and mitter saws. This has since been confirmed by a veterinarian of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Lantau District Councillor Eric Kwok has called for teh AFCD to establish policies to protect the cows and to set up an animal hospital on the island to save injured animals. He commented that: -

“While developing Lantau, the government had ignored the living needs of these “original inhabitants””.

Wild cows and buffaloes have long been regarded as the original inhabitabnts of Lantau, often spotted in not only lush green fields but also in traffic or as unsuspecting visitors to stores on the island.

Volunteers who look after the island’s cows have continued to urge the Police to continue investigating the matter.

This is not the first time cows on Lantau have been the subject of animal cruelty. In April 2018, a feral cow was killed and another was injured after a car rammed into them on south Lantau Island. Back in 2013, a woman was arrested over the death of eight cows on Lantau after animal hair and blood was found on her damaged SUV, parked a short distance from the crash site.

Main Source: Apple Daily