New study on animal cruelty in Hong Kong by HKU.
The Faculty of Law, the University of Hong Kong and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) have published a new study on animal cruelty cases in Hong Kong.
The retrospective study looked at 335 suspected cruelty offences recorded by the SPCA HK between January 2013 and December 2019. Cases were categorised into six major types of abuse: active maltreatment, passive neglect, commercial exploitation, hoarding, poisoning and trapping.
New strategies were recommended to address cruelty to animals in Hong Kong, including the introduction of a duty of care, a new offence to deter animal poisoning, improved controls on traps used for animals, a new offence of cruelty by falling from height, bans on unnecessary mutilations and mercy release and the licensing of all shelters, grooming parlours and dog trainers.
Courtesy of HKALPO
Read More
NSW rescue dogs shot dead over COVID-19 spread fears.
Sixteen impounded dogs (including one mother dog with her 10 puppies) waiting to be rescued in New South Wales were reportedly put down by the local council to enforce COVID-19 travel restrictions. According to NSW Health, there were no recent locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Cobar at the time of the incident.
Courtesy of Kelly Ma.
Read More
Photographer captures crow behaviour known as anting.
Photographer Tony Austin was at the tail-end of a 3-hour nature walk recently when a murder of crows landed nearby. When one of the crows started “acting strangely,” Austin began photographing it. When Austin reviewed the photos on his large computer monitor at home, he was surprised to discover that the crow had ants crawling all over its body — it had been taking an ant bath.
Anting is a maintenance tactic birds use in which they intentionally invite ants or other insects onto their feathers and skin. Oftentimes the bird will lie down in a location covered with the insects and do certain poses while the bugs are swarming its body. This is called passive anting, and this is what Austin observed and photographed.
Courtesy of Amelia Wang
Read More
154 cats euthanised in Taiwan on International Homeless Animals’ Day.
Quarantine officers in Taiwan made the shocking decision Saturday 21 August to euthanise 154 stray cats that were being smuggled into Taiwan on a fishing vessel from China, sparking national controversy on International Homeless Animals’ Day.
Government officials claimed that the cats had to be euthanised due to biosecurity concerns, as the origin of the cats was unknown. This prompted outcry among animal rights groups and animal lovers in Taiwan, criticising the government for not considering other options, such as treating the cats or placing them in quarantine.
Courtesy of Ruby Tam.
Read More
UK set to bring back animal testing for cosmetic ingredients after Brexit.
Ministers in the UK have opened the door to expanding the use of animal testing to ingredients used in cosmetic products for the first time in 23 years. Cruelty Free International (CFI) said animal testing on ingredients exclusively used in cosmetics – which was banned in the UK in 1998 – could be required, after being told by the Home Office that the government had “reconsidered its policy.”
In a letter, the government said it was aligning itself with a decision made last year by the appeals board of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which said that some ingredients used only in cosmetics needed to be tested on animals to ensure they were safe.
Courtesy of HKALPO
Read More
HK fortune teller specialising in witchcraft with animal sacrifices arrested.
A 19-year-old design school student who called himself a fortune teller specialising in performing witchcraft, was arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly slaughtering animals such as rabbits, mice and frogs as “sacrificial offerings” in rituals. He appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court on charges of animal cruelty and was remanded in custody.
Courtesy of Ruby Tam
Read More
Animals rescued during an anti-smuggling operation in Hong Kong.
An anti-smuggling operation by the Hong Kong police, and Customs and Excise officers resulted in the seizure of 28 puppies and kittens, the discovery of an alleged smuggler’s body, and the arrest of a second alleged smuggler. The man in the speedboat was arrested for, inter alia, animal cruelty. The animals were transferred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Courtesy of Audrey O’Young.
Read More
Alpacas join animal rights protestors march on Downing Street.
Animal rights protestors were joined by alpacas on their march on Downing Street on 9 August 2021, in an attempt to save fellow alpaca Geronimo from being put down. The eight year old mammal has tested positive twice for bovine tuberculosis (“bTB”), leading the UK Government to demand he be euthanised.
However, his owner, Helen Macdonald, believes the tests have returned false positives and is urging the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (“DEFRA”) to have him checked for a third time, having failed in her High Court action challenging the refusal to allow the animal to be re-tested again.
Read More
Ocean pollution leading young marine turtles to ingest plastic.
Young marine turtles are swallowing large quantities of plastic, with ocean pollution changing habitats that were once ideal for their development into a risk, researchers have found.
The impact of plastic on wildlife is a growing area of research, and studies have revealed harrowing cases of marine animals sustaining injuries or dying after ingesting such material or becoming entangled in it.
Courtesy of Kat Mak
Read More
Young wild boar seen travelling on Hong Kong MTR.
Recently, some passengers on board the MTR were greeted by a rare passenger - a young wild boar that had somehow found its way into the train cabins. Despite evading MTR staff and officers of the AFCD initially, the boar was eventually captured and released back into the wild.
This is not the first time boars have been seen in more urban areas. There have been a number of instances where wild boars have become trapped in MTR stations or seen wandering the streets looking for food. The relationship that we have built with wild boars has unfortunately evolved to one where the boars are becoming more reliant on human for food, rather than foraging by themselves.
A well-known NGO, The Wild Boar Concern Group, has endeavoured to be the voice for wild boars as well as trying to educate the general public about these animals through workshops and other social media initiatives, with the aim of building better relationships with wild boars as well as learning to respect their habitats.
Courtesy of Jing Shan Wong.
Read More
Fish Sellers Who Kept Carp Out of Water Convicted of Mistreatment.
In a landmark animal protection case, a Court in Poland has found the defendants, who were displaying and selling carp out of water, guilty of mistreatment of the fish. It was discovered that a Polish chain store was selling and displaying live carp out of water in inappropriate conditions, and thereafter packing the live animals into plastic bags without water for customers who purchased them.
After 10 years, dozens of hearings, hundreds of hours spent on submitting letters, motions, and attempts to incorporate reliable, up-to-date scientific knowledge into the legal proceedings, Ms. Kuszlewicz, a representative of a Polish animal welfare society, Noga w Łapę Foundation, finally managed to convince the justice system to take responsibility for the suffering of fish.
Courtesy of Marco Poon
Read More
Victorian habitat for the weedy seadragon under threat.
Sir David Attenborough has lent his support to a Mornington Peninsula community's battle to prevent the partial demolition of a wooden jetty, arguing it provides valuable habitat for the threatened weedy seadragon
The Victorian government last year revealed plans to demolish the first 180 metres of the wooden Flinders Pier in order to protect public safety and before it falls into the water becoming a navigational hazard or injuring those beneath it.
However, the Flinders Community Association believes the jetty should instead be repaired to ensure the rich marine life enjoyed by the local community can be maintained, including the threatened weedy seadragon, Victoria’s marine emblem.
Courtesy of Kat Mak
Read More
Kenya begins first national census of wildlife.
Kenya is embarking on its first national census of wildlife covering 58 national parks and reserves, private and community conservancies, and aims to be completed by the end of July.
The conservation data will include a count of terrestrial and marine mammals, key birds and endangered primates. The total cost of the census is estimated to be approximately 250m Kenyan shillings (approximately HK$17 million).
The purpose of the count is to provide an update on wildlife status and distribution. This will enable policy makers to be informed on how to implement more effective wildlife conservation and management.
Courtesy of Arial Ng.
Read More
Turkey Will No Longer Classify Animals As Commodities.
New animal welfare legislation in Turkey will reclassify strays and pets as living beings rather than commodities, bringing with it harsher penalties for animal cruelty.
While current legislation punishes animal cruelty with a relatively small fine for damage to a “commodity” (comparable to destruction of property), the update will redefine these crimes to place them on a par with violence towards humans.
Courtesy of HKALPO
Read More
First and Second Reading of the Organised and Serious Crimes Bill in HK.
On 7 July 2021, the first and second reading of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance Bill, a private Bill introduced by Legislative Councillor Elizabeth Quat Pui Fan, was heard by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
The Bill seeks to amend the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, Cap 455 (“OSCO”), to include wildlife crimes as defined in the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586 so as to arm investigative authorities with increased investigative powers, as well as the power to both confiscate and issue charging orders over property representing the benefits of wildlife crimes.
Courtesy of Felix Tsang
Read More
Survey shows a considerable decrease in HK shark fin consumption.
JULY 14 IS SHARK AWARENESS DAY!
A 10-year survey monitoring the long-term changes in the consumption of shark fin soup revealed a noticeable drop in shark fin consumption in Hong Kong and stronger support for government initiatives for wildlife conservation.
The survey results showed in significant change in the city’s attitudes towards shark fin consumption. In 2009/10, 58.1% of respondents said that their consumption of shark fin remained the same over the past five years; whereas in 2019/2020, the percentage dropped to 19.1%, and 53.9% respondents reported a decrease in consumption. A further 15.2% of respondents in 2019/20 said that they have stopped consuming shark fin products.
In the 2019/20 survey, more than 90.4% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the Hong Kong Government should do more to regulate shark fin trade in Hong Kong.
Please lend your support to the Hong Kong Shark Foundation 香港護鯊會 for all that they do for sharks in Hong Kong.
Courtesy of Nicole Liang
Read More
UK Considers Plans to Strengthen Welfare Rights of Crustaceans and Molluscs.
The Animal Sentience Bill was introduced by the UK government on May 11 as part of a raft of animal welfare reforms. It replaces EU legislation which legally recognised that animals can feel pain and experience emotions.
Currently the Bill currently only applies to “vertebrate” animals. However, scientific evidence has shown that decapod crustaceans, a group which includes crabs and lobsters, can feel pain and suffer and should be included in animal welfare legislation.
Whilst other countries such as Switzerland, Norway and New Zealand include decapod crustaceans in their animal welfare laws, decapods are not currently included in the definition of ‘animal’ in most of the UK’s animal welfare legislation.
Courtesy of Kat Mak
Read More
Landmark High Court challenge to Australia’s Ag-Gag Laws.
Animal rights activists have launched a landmark case in the High Court of Australia in a bid to overturn laws restraining secretly recorded footage of cruelty and abuse in slaughterhouses, arguing such ban had breached Australia’s implied right to freedom of political communication.
The Ag-Gag laws under the New South Wales Surveillance Devices Act 2007, have been described as not being "compatible with the system of representative and responsible government established by the constitution”.
Courtesy of Kelly Ma.
Read More
Pet Owner Arrested After Dog Falls To Death.
On 5 July 2021, Hong Kong Police arrested a man on suspicion of animal cruelty after his pet dog fell to its death from his 19th storey flat. A police source said a preliminary investigation indicated the dog probably passed through a space in the railings on the flat’s balcony before falling off the building.
Despite many apartment buildings promoting themselves as dog friendly, there are still an unfortunate number of incidents involving unprovoked abuse towards dog owners and their dogs. Even more concerning are the instances where dogs have been seen left to fend for themselves outside in extreme weather conditions, with no signs of shelter.
There needs to be a greater sense of responsibility and a legal duty on pet owners in Hong Kong to ensure that the welfare needs of their animals are being met.
We would love to hear your thoughts on these mattes. If you have been the victim of directed abuse as a dog (or animal) owner, please feel free to share your stories with us in the comment section below.
Courtesy of HKALPO
Read More
French court outlaws glue-trap hunting of songbirds.
The top administrative court in France, the State Council formally banned the use of glue traps to hunt birds, revoking exceptions that were granted for what was considered a "traditional” practice.
In a statement, the French court said the practice "cannot be authorized" as it violates following a March decision from the Court of Justice of the European Union that banned it.
Courtesy of HKALPO
Read More
