Several correspondents to your paper have written recently about tackling stray dogs (South China Morning Post, October 9, 13, 14, 17). Let me assure readers that the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) does have active stray animal control programmes in place throughout Hong Kong.
The AFD's programmes are divided into two main areas - stray animal prevention and stray animal capture. Our prevention programmes aim to alter community attitudes towards animal ownership through public education and enforcement action. Some of the measures we have implemented recently include: Microchip identification of dogs to facilitate prosecution of irresponsible keepers.
Distribution of a booklet on responsible dog ownership to over 30,000 dog owners.
A code of practice for keeping of dogs on building sites coupled with an increase in the number of visits to construction sites.
These initiatives are reinforced by enforcement action - over 1,000 people in the last year were prosecuted for failing to control their dogs.
Regarding stray animal capture, we have implemented specific programmes covering 'black spots', where stray animal problems recur and are complicated by residents who feed stray animals. We act on all requests for assistance, affording our highest priority to sites where stray dogs are endangering public safety. As an example, we have conducted additional operations to the sites in Cheung Chau and Chung Hom Kok identified by your readers.
