Roast pig-cutting ceremony at Hong Kong City University’s new vet clinic draws ire from activists who say it has killed animals before curing any
- Senior management asks all departments to consider cancelling such ceremonies and other rites at future celebrations
- New Veterinary Medical Centre cut up and served two roast pigs and later posted pictures of event online, sparking immediate outcry
A university in Hong Kong has urged all departments to stop traditional roast pig-cutting ceremonies at special events after criticism its new vet centre killed animals before it had treated any.
The move by City University followed an incident that an outspoken animal welfare activist called a public relations blunder.
The university’s new Veterinary Medical Centre in Sham Shui Po cut up and served two roast pigs at an opening ceremony on March 27. The event was then posted on CityU’s Facebook page, immediately drawing criticism from internet users, with some saying the centre had killed the pigs before curing other animals.
In a press release on Thursday, the university said the ceremony was held because it was “regarded as a traditional ritual in Hong Kong when a new building has been completed”.
The organising committee made the arrangements as a gesture of blessing, it said, adding that some members of the senior management team had expressed concerns before the roast pig cutting took place.
After considering environmental protection and the concerns of different sections of the community, senior management had asked all departments to consider cancelling such ceremonies and other outdated rites at future celebrations.
