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Edith Lin

Hong Kong authorities will take enforcement action against dog owners who fail to keep their pets under control during special operations taking place on Sunday and the following weekend in response to a spate of canine attacks.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) also said on Friday that it seized a fighting dog at a restaurant in Stanley two days earlier after conducting an inspection in response to a complaint.
It said that it would prosecute the owner if there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
The AFCD added that it would conduct special operations on Sunday and the following weekend.
“During the special operations, [department] officers will step up inspections and enforcement at public places where dogs congregate,” a spokesman said.
“If dog keepers are found not to have properly controlled their dogs in accordance with the legal requirements, the [department] will take immediate enforcement action without warning in advance.”
Under the Rabies Ordinance, it is an offence to leave a dog unleashed in public areas or at any place from which it may wander into a public space. Offenders can be fined HK$10,000 (US$1,275) upon conviction.
The department also confirmed it had seized a fighting dog after the owner wrote on social media that authorities had taken the 10-year-old canine. He also claimed that the animal did not legally count as dangerous.
Under Hong Kong law, pit bull terriers, dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, fila Brasileiro and their crossbreeds are classified as fighting dogs.
In a Facebook post, the AFCD said: “The department’s vet identified and confirmed the dog as a pit bull terrier, a classified fighting dog. To safeguard public safety, the vet conducted an observation and temperament assessment of the dog and confirmed it could be returned to the owner after being neutered.
“The department is investigating the case. If there is sufficient evidence of a legal breach, it will initiate prosecution.”


The department added that it had instructed the owner to arrange for the animal to be sterilised under its supervision and undergo training.
The Dangerous Dogs Regulation states that fighting canines must be neutered by a registered veterinary surgeon. Owners are also required to obtain a valid desexing certificate.
Fighting dogs must be securely muzzled and held on a leash not longer than 1.5 metres (feet) at all times in public places, in addition to wearing special collars.
Under the same regulation, any dogs weighing no less than 20kg must be secured in public with a leash of up to two metres. Anyone who fails to comply faces a maximum penalty of three months in prison and a HK$25,000 fine.
On Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu promised to review laws governing dangerous dogs and the related penalties in response to the string of dog attacks.
Only a week before Lee made the pledge, the 33-year-old owner of a pet training facility was mauled by a mixed-breed fighting dog registered as a mongrel. She was discovered dead nearby shortly after the attack.
Earlier that same week, a 60kg mixed-breed dog killed a miniature poodle and a bichon frise in separate attacks near Yoho Mall in Yuen Long.
Two further attacks were reported this week.
The attacks took place as authorities push to make the city more dog-friendly. From July 9, canines were allowed to enter restaurants holding a relevant licence under a government scheme.
More than 980 restaurants held the dog-friendly venue licence as of early August.


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Hong Kong authorities to get tough on careless dog owners during special operations

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Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also says it seized fighting dog in Stanley earlier this week and may prosecute owner


Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also says it seized fighting dog in Stanley earlier this week and may prosecute owner.


Pets in Hong Kong

Pets

Hong Kong authorities to get tough on careless dog owners during special operations

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also says it seized fighting dog in Stanley earlier this week and may prosecute owner

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also says it seized fighting dog in Stanley earlier this week and may prosecute owner