Authorities investigate woman's death after being mauled by dog

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's preliminary investigation into the death of a woman mauled to death by a dog at a Ta Kwu Ling animal centre reveals the canine involved is classified as a "fighting dog."

This as the government notes it will assess the designation of such canines.

The incident happened at a licensed animal centre located in Ta Kwu Ling's remote Ping Yeung Village.

Local villager Mike says he usually doesn't hear dogs barking in the area, and is concerned the canines in the centre would come out and start injuring local residents.

Another villager calls the woman's tragic death an isolated incident, but is unsure about what happened during the ordeal.

Family members of the deceased earlier performed a roadside mourning ceremony at the scene.

The incident happened at around 4pm Thursday when the 33-year-old female owner of the animal centre and pet hotel was found lying on the ground in the middle of the facility.

She suffered head, jaw and neck injuries and showed signs of animal bite marks, and was confirmed dead on site.

A dog was seen wandering near the body at the time.

Sources say the dog involved in the woman's death weighed 30 kilogrammes and has a microchip implant.

The canine was initially taken care of at a parking lot in Lok Ma Chau, but was subsequently brought to the training centre after the parking lot ceased operations in April.

The dog was transferred to the animal centre just two weeks ago.

Reports say the woman was trying to lead the dog into a cage but was attacked after she fell on the floor.

This as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department notes the dog is currently detained at an animal management centre, and initially believe it to be bred as a "fighting dog".

The first thing I want to say is that we all know it is still under investigation.

Of course the dog was at the scene, and also just next to the body, so I cannot give all the information because the whole case is still under investigation.

What I can say is the dog we have detained now in our animal management centre and we will take good care of the dog because it may form part of the investigation and also we will spend more effort and time to assess the breeding of this dog and also the behaviour of this dog.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan, meanwhile, writes in social media saying the law currently classifies four breeds, consisting of Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and Fila Braziliero, as fighting dogs,

He adds authorities will assess the designation for fighting dogs and strengthen regulation measures.