Hong Kong animal charities call for stricter penalties for dog poisoning
SPCA and Team for Animals in Lantau South say harsher penalties are needed to deter criminals after former Miss Hong Kong loses two of her dogs
Animal welfare charities in Hong Kong have called for stricter penalties and greater collaboration between authorities and NGOs to tackle animal poisoning after a former beauty queen said two of her dogs died and a third fell ill after licking meat laced with neurotoxins placed on a path.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also revealed on Thursday it had assisted police in investigating nine suspected cases of dog poisoning so far this year.
Writing on social media earlier this week, Miss Hong Kong 2020 winner Lisa-Marie Tse Ga-ye lamented the death of her two dogs and the poisoning of a third, which she said occurred after she had taken them for a walk in She Shan village in Lam Tsuen on Sunday.
She said a “very disgusting, horrible and unforgivable person” had placed a “meat feast laced with poison” on the path, leading to the death of her two dogs, Peachy and Summer. She later said her sole surviving pet – Leo – was also suffering from the effects of the poison.
Following the incident, animal welfare groups called for stricter penalties and steeped-up collaboration with NGOs to tackle the issue.
SPCA head of inspectorate Anthony Leung said the charity believed that enforcing harsher penalties for those involved in animal cruelty and poisoning cases would serve as an effective deterrent.
NGOs should “work closely with animal welfare organisations like the SPCA to investigate cases, provide support to affected parties and implement preventive measures”, he said.
