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Officials powerless to act over Rottweiler mauling

No action is likely to be taken against an owner or her dogs after a domestic helper was badly mauled by a pack of Rottweilers at a Yuen Long village house.

Staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said yesterday they were powerless to act because the 10 Rottweilers involved in the attack were all licensed and the incident happened on private property.

But neighbours described the Rottweilers as 'frightening'. They said they kept their distance and that the dogs barked constantly when they went past. 'I'm always afraid they will get out somehow and attack me,' one woman said.

A department spokeswoman said it would have to complete the investigation to find out the cause of the attack before considering the next step.

'Up to this stage, we do not see any problem against the pet owner and her dogs. All the dogs are licensed and the attack occurred in a private area where the dogs do not need to be put on a leash,' she said.

'Our colleagues have visited the scene but so far no indication suggested the pet owner did not provide proper care to her dogs.

'If the 10 Rottweilers are not found to be infected with rabies . . . they will be returned to their owner.'

The domestic helper, who suffered bites to her head, body, arms and legs in the attack on Monday evening, was yesterday recovering in Tuen Mun Hospital. Her condition had improved from serious to stable.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the woman, who is in her 30s. Initial reports suggested she was Sri Lankan.

She was attacked when visiting a friend - an Indonesian domestic helper - who is hired to take care of the 16 Rottweilers at the two-storey house in Ma Tin Pok Tsuen, Tai Shu Ha Road East, Yuen Long.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department director Thomas Chan Chun-yuen said existing laws for large dogs were adequate.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation, any dog over 20kg must be kept on a leash when in a public place but is not required to be muzzled.

Doris Yiu Wai-fun, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the government should review the laws.

'The government is passive and acts only if there is a tragedy. After this attack, it's time for the government to discuss and review animal welfare and come up with comprehensive legislation for the welfare of animals,' she said.

The department spokeswoman said the maximum penalty for pet owners who failed to exercise proper care was a $10,000 fine.

In the first two months of this year, 39 people were successfully prosecuted for failing to care for their pets. There were 340 reports of dog-bite attacks.

Graphic: DOG12XGET

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