Coronavirus: Hong Kong hamster owners dump pets as health authorities proceed with cull over fears of animal-to-human transmission
- Cull targets hamsters sold since December 22, but some owners are abandoning pets bought earlier
- Animal welfare groups find abandoned hamsters in parks, garbage dumps or even left in the street
More than 100 hamsters were dumped by Hong Kong pet owners after the government announced a cull as a precaution against animal-to-human transmission of the coronavirus.
Animal welfare volunteers said dozens of hamsters had been left to die in the streets, and they were scrambling to rescue those abandoned in various public areas.
Numerous messages and photographs were posted on social media, showing the small furry mammals left in parks, bushes and garbage collection points.
Although the cull order only applies to hamsters imported to Hong Kong since December 22, animal welfare groups told the Post that Hongkongers were also tossing out older pets unaffected by the ruling.
“Owners should not just leave them on the street where there are cats, dogs, eagles or other predators. They should allow them a chance to live,” said volunteer Pamper Le.
Le said that she and six other volunteers were caring for more than 40 hamsters handed over by owners or picked up off the streets.
“They were mostly abandoned in garbage stations and parks, sometimes in private residential estates. Most were in cages, which might not have food and water, while others were in paper boxes,” she said.
