Elderly Hongkonger gets suspended jail term, HK$1,000 fine for attacking pigeons
- Tsui Ping-kwan, 84, ‘cruelly beat’ two wild pigeons on as many occasions when their faeces landed on him in Tai Po on November 3 and December 14 last year
- Principal Magistrate Don So imposed a HK$1,000 fine and sentenced him to two weeks behind bars, suspended for 12 months
Fanling Court heard retiree Tsui Ping-kwan “cruelly beat” the birds with a 60cm-long twig and a metal pole at Tai Wo Estate in Tai Po on two separate occasions, on November 3 and December 14 last year.
Both times he was caught red-handed by passers-by, who immediately stopped the assault, took pictures of him and reported the case.
Tsui was arrested after he admitted to hitting the birds out of anger because they “excreted on his head”.
The two pigeons were given to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for emergency care and veterinary examination, after which experts concluded there were no obvious wounds or fractures.
On Tuesday, Tsui pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to animals. Prosecutors said Tsui “cruelly beat” the wild pigeons and caused them unnecessary suffering.
Elderly Hongkonger arrested – again – over attacking pigeons at Tai Po
In mitigation, his defence lawyer said the offences were committed on impulse, and stressed that the birds were not injured.
Principal Magistrate Don So Man-lung imposed a fine and sentenced the man to two weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Cruelty to animals in Hong Kong is punishable by three years in prison and a HK$200,000 fine.
