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SCMP Reporter

URBAN Services staff recommended eating a dead rabbit as the best way to dispose of the dead animal, the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has claimed.

  Municipal staff have denied the charge, although they accepted that they recommended some pet owners dump dead dogs and cats in their rubbish bins to dispose of them.

  Concern over the Urban and Regional Services Departments' operations arose following a case in which an RSPCA staff member was told by an official to try to eat a dead pet rabbit.

  Both departments provide carcass disposal and collection services. Pet owners can take their dead animals to the offices or ring and ask for the animals to be collected from their homes for disposal.

  However, a Tuen Mun pet owner recently complained to the RSPCA that she was told by an officer to dump her dead pet rabbit in the litter bin when she called to ask for it to be properly disposed of.

  RSPCA information manager Ms Helen Clements said that, to investigate the complaint, an RSPCA staff member rang the Urban Services Department and asked for help to dispose of a dead pet rabbit.

  The officer told the staff member that she might like to eat the rabbit, Mrs Clements said.

  ''Their second suggestion was to throw it into the bin.''   The animal welfare organisation was outraged and warned that the improper disposal of dead animals could lead to serious health and environmental problems.

  Duty officers at both departments' carcass treatment offices yesterday admitted they would advise inquirers to dump carcasses in litter bins or at rubbish collection points.

  ''There is no point asking us to go out to collect a small cat or chicken,'' one officer said.

  Another officer said: ''I cannot believe that we would suggest an inquirer eat their pet. We are not crazy and it is impossible for us to give such answers.''   The RSPCA's deputy executive director, Ms Doreen Davies, said dumping carcasses in bins was irresponsible and could pose health hazards.

  ''The problem will be particularly serious in hot weather, when the carcass is decomposed quickly. Dead animals should be incinerated in proper places as soon as possible.'' 



USD staff 'advised eating pet rabbit'