I refer to the letter from Caroline Addis headlined, 'Wild dogs fouling promenade' (South China Morning Post, October 7) and Dr John Wedderburn's letter 'Stray dogs cull will not work' (Post, October 15).
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) has undertaken a series of operations along Seaview Promenade, resulting in the capture of 16 'wild' dogs.
We think the stray dog problem is due to the irresponsible behaviour of some dog owners, who abandon or fail to control their animals. To overcome this, the AFD: actively promotes responsible pet ownership through the department's Animal Welfare Advisory Group and by distribution of pamphlets; requires each dog to be implanted with a microchip, for identification purposes; initiates court action against those who abandon their animals or allow them to stray; imposes strict import requirements on dogs brought into Hong Kong; captures stray animals.
Anyone wishing to report problems associated with stray animals is welcome to contact this department on 2733 2274.
L D SIMS for Director of Agriculture and Fisheries
