Policeman arrested on suspicion of shooting monkeys in Hong Kong
The 40-year-old constable was found with an air rifle, whilst off duty, in Kam Shan Country Park
An off-duty policeman has been arrested on suspicion of shooting monkeys with an air rifle in a Hong Kong country park.
Officers seized the one-metre-long weapon from the constable’s car, along with about 1,000 pellets in the Honda’s rear passenger seat, according to police.
During Monday lunchtime, the 40-year-old policeman, who is attached to the patrol sub-unit of Ma On Shan police station, was still being held for questioning and had not been charged.
He was arrested after police responded to a call made by a passer-by – himself an off-duty officer from the Correctional Services Department – at 11.45pm on Sunday in connection with cruelty to animals.
Officers said they found the man, who was off duty, with the air rifle in a car park off Golden Hill Road in Kam Shan Country Park.
The constable was then arrested on suspicion of cruelty to animals and possession of an imitation firearm. The weapon was taken for examination.
“Initial investigation showed that he was carrying what appeared to be an air rifle in the car park before a witness heard the sound of shooting and monkeys screaming and saw monkeys were running off,” a source said.
“No injured monkeys were found at the scene,” a police spokesman said on Monday.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance stipulates that anyone causing unnecessary suffering to an animal can be fined up to HK$200,000 and jailed for up to three years.
A force statement read: “If any officer has committed any illegal act, police will not tolerate it, and will handle it seriously.”
The officer, possessing 17 years on the force, was assigned to indoor work and restricted from being issued firearms, after being assessed as emotionally unsteady, a source with knowledge of the investigation said.
“We will take statements from witnesses and then carry out an identity parade before seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice,” the source said.
The source said a disciplinary probe would also be carried out when the criminal investigation was complete.
The constable was released on bail on Monday night, pending further investigation.
