There has been a worrying trend of animal abuse cases in Hong Kong recently, with six notable incidents being reported in the past two weeks. Animal welfare organisations have been calling for stricter laws and enforcement to protect animals from such cruelty. It is time Hong Kong recognises the importance of treating all living beings with kindness and respect, and to take action to prevent such abuse from occurring.

CASE ONE

Earlier this month (3rd May 2023), the police received a report from the Non-Profit Making Veterinary Society clinic (“NPV”), claiming that a Yorkshire Terrier, Honey, was found injured, suspecting that someone has been treating Honey inhumanely and inappropriately. Unfortunately and despite best efforts from the heroic team of veterinarians and vet nurses, Honey passed away on 8 May 2023, as announced by the founder of NPV - Mark Mak, with the following statement:

“Leaving everyone with heavy pain and unsatisfactory resentment. With exhaustless words, May you rest in peace.”

The police suspected the pet owner’s mother’s boyfriend of causing Honey’s death, as Honey was left in the care of the mother’s boyfriend after the owner’s elder sister left home for work on 1st May night and the owner’s mother left for a holiday in Thailand on 30th April. Honey was found unconscious by the owner’s elder sister, returned home on 2nd May and was immediately taken to Mong Kok clinic for treatment.

According to an earlier description made by Mr Mak, he described such an incident is considered “One of the worst tragedies ever”: -

“From the establishment of the NPV platform to the work of diferent animal protections, I have experienced hundreds of animal cruelty cases. The cat Huang Ren's (“黃忍”) skull was crushed; Lili(“麗麗”), whose hind limbs were cut of ; Sachiko (“幸子”), with multiple knife cuts on her body; and Gwai Gwai (“乖乖”), whose lower body has been corrosive water... the scene is tearing my heart apart. I thought nothing else could impact my emotions, but yesterday I encountered this tragedy, which can be regarded as the worst tragedy.”

Sadly and unexpectedly, when the death of Honey was still ringing in one’s ears, more animal abuse cases were reported from different parties in the community.

CASE TWO

A Greek dog owner has been arrested over abuse of her 10-month-old Maltese, which was covered in injuries and died in a veterinary hospital last week.

Sources said the 69-year-old woman, who holds a Hong Kong ID card, was arrested on Tuesday night, hours after the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Ho Man Tin made a report to the police. It is understood that the woman found her Maltese unwell and brought the puppy to the hospital on May 1.

But the dog - covered in injuries-- was beyond rescue and died the next day.

Staff of the clinic suspected the Maltese had suffered abuse and reported to the police.

The owner was arrested for cruelty to animals. The Kowloon City district crime wing is following up.

CASE THREE

Two four-year-old cats who had been previously adopted, where left abandoned after their owners could no longer take care of them.

The two cats, named Puff and Caramel, were rescued in 2019 and were only 7 months old at the time. At that time, a man surnamed Ho, had adopted the two cats and would constantly provide updates and photos. However, when asked about their well-being on March 27 this year, Mr. Ho suddenly blocked the account.

As a result, volunteers went to the house of Mr. Ho on 8 May to ascertain the welfare of the cats. However Mr. Ho informed them that he could no longer take care of the two cats and had released them in the mountains a month and a half ago.

The cats remaining homeless and abandoned.

CASE FOUR

A dog was run over by a car at Whitehead Barbeque on 11 May. Based on CCTV footage that was circulating online, the driver did not stop. The incident was brought to the public’s attention on 13 May morning when the video was shared on a Facebook page.

With regards to the driver, he later claimed he mistook the dog for a rock.

His car was also vandalized with the writing “murderer”. Police have begun investigating the hit-and-run incident and the vandalization

Under the Road Traffic Amendment Ordinance that came into effect in November 2021, drivers are required to stop if they hit any cat or dog.

Anyone failing to do so can be fined HK$10,000 (US$1,275) and jailed for 12 months. Motorists who fail to report the incident to police within 24 hours face a HK$25,000 fine and six months’ jail.

CASE FIVE

A woman was arrested for animal abuse after her white cat fell from height and hit a Benz before it rebounded onto the ground. The cat was pronounced dead on the spot by SPCA Inspectors and the Police.

It was understood that the cat fell from a unit on the 15th Floor of the building above.

CASE SIX

Hong Kong police arrested a 66-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty after finding a wild pigeon with broken wings at a public housing estate in Tseung Kwan O.

The man, who lives in the estate, was detained for animal cruelty – an offence punishable by up to three years in jail and a HK$200,000 fine.

A police team investigating animal cruelty began looking into the case on Tuesday after they received a report from a resident who had a video showing the suspected ill-treatment of a pigeon at the estate. After gathering evidence, plain-clothes officers laid an ambush at the estate in the early hours of Wednesday. At about 5.45am, officers spotted the 66-year-old retiree walking towards King Min House at the estate. “Outside the building, he squatted and grabbed a wild pigeon. Seconds later, he released the pigeon,” Inspector Tam said. She added that officers arrested the man after finding the pigeon’s two wings were broken.

Commentary

The recent uprising animal abuse cases made us reflect on whether the existing animal law protection in Hong Kong is sufficient. The development of the Hong Kong law relating to animal protection, especially The Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Ordinance Cap 169, has had minimal amendment since its enactment in 1935, as suggested in a review jointly published by HKU Associate Professor Amanda Whitfort and SPCA Deputy Director of Welfare, Dr Fiona Woodhouse.

According to the penalty enforced against animal abusers (Section 3 Cap 169), the maximum penalty for animal cruelty cases is $200,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Besides the lack of real development in the existing animal protection law, prosecutors may find it challenging to charge abusers liable for the abuse cases due to insufficient evidence as well as the 6-month summary offence time bar in which a prosecution charge is to be laid.

Recalling a saddening incident in 2020 where 29 animals were thrown onto the street, and 18 were found dead. Despite the high number of animals found dead, the spokesperson for the Department of Justice announced that the decision not to prosecute the offenders for animal cruelty was made upon “an objective and professional assessment of the available evidence and applicable law”, which found the defendant not liable due to insufficient evidence to initiate criminal proceedings.

Too often we see those that commit heinous acts of cruelty against animals go unpunished. As the number of animal related cruelty cases continues to grow, when will Hong Kong realise that the current legislative framework under Cap 169 is ineffective and insufficient. Animals need better protection - the current state of the law in Hong Kong fails miserably.

Courtesy of Eufrosina Liu