Sally Andersen, who runs Hong Kong Dog Rescue, said the incident highlighted the need for tighter canine population control in the villages.

'There are so many dogs like Bogi all over the New Territories and the Outlying Islands,' she said. 'The government really needs to stop talking and start acting to make a difference to the stray dog population, and the villagers who keep these dogs but don't officially own them [to avoid responsibility] need to start taking responsibility and get the dogs de-sexed.

'Old cultural beliefs seem to be used an excuse rather than a valid reason for not doing so.'