Animal Cruelty
Animal Cruelty
Background
Owning a pet can bring you great joy. However, owning a pet also involves great responsibility, and there is lot to think about before getting one. Please treat your pet with respect and compassion. Always say “NO” to animal cruelty.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has always been committed to safeguarding animal welfare and raising the public’s awareness of animal welfare. It is in this light that the penalty of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap. 169, was increased in 2006 to further safeguard animal welfare, prohibit and deter cruel acts to animals and punish offenders.
Treat Animals Well
Do:
- treat animals well and take good care of them.
- provide animals with enough food and clean water.
- provide animals with enough space so that they can move around freely.
- bring animals to the vet as soon as possible if they are sick or injured.
- provide animals with adequate shelter from the sun and/or rain.
- take care when carrying or transporting animals to prevent causing any unnecessary suffering to them.
A real case of animal cruelty
In July 2017, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (“SPCA”) and the police together found eight dead dogs in a single-storey flat in Fung Kat Heung Road, near Yuen Long, two of which had decayed such that their bones were visible. Six other dogs were found alive but severely emaciated, together with five underweight turtles. No food or water was provided to the animals and the surviving dogs were even forced to feed off the dead ones. The environment was poor and unhygienic and the dogs were covered with faeces. The live animals were sent to the SPCA for veterinary forensic examination, treatment and nursing back to good health before arranging for adoption.After police investigation, a 32-year-old man was arrested and confessed that he neglected the animals due to his work and relationship problems. He pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals and keeping a dog without a licence, and was sentenced to one-year imprisonment plus a fine of HK$2,000.
Animal Watch Scheme
In October 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force launched the “Animal Watch Scheme” with support from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, local veterinary associations and animal concern groups to fight against cruelty to animals through a four-pronged approach of Education, Publicity, Intelligence Gathering and Investigation. We need your support and participation in the fight against cruelty to animals – report cruelty to animals!
For further details, please visit:
www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/aws.html
Report
If you witness any incident of animal cruelty, please report the case to the police, SPCA or call 1823 to inform AFCD. The caller’s identity will be kept confidential.
Reporting Hotline
Leaflets & Posters
Leaflet "Respect Life and Treat Animals Well"
Poster "Respect Life and Treat Animals Well"
Applicable Legislation
Cap 169 PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ORDINANCE
An offender convicted of animal cruelty shall be liable to a fine of up to $200,000 and 3 years’ imprisonment.