Env't chief: to examine need to increase penalties for abandoning dogs

The government says it is reviewing dog control-related regulations and aims to complete legislative amendments within next year. In a written reply to a Legislative Council member's question, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan says, given the prevailing public view that current penalties for abandoning or failing to properly control dogs lack sufficient deterrent effect, authorities will examine increasing penalties.

On whether the definitions of "fighting dogs" or "known dangerous dogs" need to be updated, Tse says the government is tapping views from various stakeholders to determine an appropriate approach. He also mentioned that, as of May this year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department had captured 178 unattended dogs. Among them, 30% were humanely euthanised. 32% were transferred to animal welfare organisations and the rest were reclaimed by their owners.