Animal concern groups unite in battle against illegal traps
Dog's limb amputation plight after being caught in gin trap highlights increase in cruel practice
Last December, one of his forelimbs had to be amputated below the shoulder after he got caught in a rusty, spring-loaded gin trap near Wo Hop Shek.
It took three operations to save him but now Four Eye Tsai manages to hobble around with his three remaining limbs.
"Apart from physical pain and agony, there is also the mental fear and stress that animals caught in traps like this have to suffer," said Tony Ho Tse-tong, chief officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspectorate.
The SPCA is one of 22 animal rights and concern groups forming a new Stop Illegal Animal Traps Alliance amid a rise in cruel animal snaring across the city.
According to the alliance, the number of animal trapping cases rose from nine in 2013 to 14 in 2014, while 16 traps were found last year compared to 10 the previous year, mostly in far-flung rural areas. At least 13 animals, including nine dogs, had to be rescued last year.
Ho said the number of illegal animals traps found usually rose in autumn and winter, probably placed by local people, but it was difficult to make arrests. He urged the government to do more to promote public awareness of the issue.