Doubts over enforcement of Hong Kong’s tighter dog breeding laws
New licensing rules to take effect in March, but animal welfare activists say compliance will be key
New licensing rules that tighten controls on the sale and breeding of dogs and other animals will take effect in March in a victory for animal rights groups, but concerns have been raised that rushed implementation will create difficulties enforcing the law.
The government on Wednesday said the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Trading and Breeding) Regulations would come into effect on March 20, and that licences and permits under the new regulatory regime were open to applications.
The new system comes following longstanding complaints from animal welfare activists about a loophole in the law that allowed unlicensed dog breeders to run commercial businesses from private residences and cash in on selling pure-bred puppies. These breeders, claiming to be “pet owners”, sometimes kept more than 100 dogs.
Under the amended laws, anyone who sells a dog must obtain a suitable licence or permit, and is prohibited from selling dogs to anyone under the age of 16.
Those who sell dogs or other animals have to apply for an animal trader licence, and breeders must obtain a dog breeder licence whether operating at home or from other premises.