Will tragic fate of Hong Kong’s harbour dog be the final wake-up call on animal cruelty in the city?

I was deeply disturbed to read the latest report about deadly animal abuse in the city (“Dog rescued from Victoria Harbour found dead after being ‘thrown from roof’” April 4).

The Japanese spitz was thrown from the roof of a 23-storey building, shortly after he was rescued from the harbour. The accused thought the dog was annoying, so he flung him from the roof, according to police. This kind of casual animal cruelty shows how much we need stronger enforcement of laws against pet abuse and neglect.

Full force of Hong Kong law needed in animal cruelty cases

Hong Kong is a study in contrasts when it comes to pets, with some owners booking spa treatments for them and pushing them around in strollers, while others act with unimaginable cruelty.

Do Hong Kong dogs really need boots, jumpers, strollers?

I suggest that closer tabs be kept on owners and sellers of animals, and a law be introduced to ban repeat animal abusers from ever keeping pets.

Are Hong Kong’s laws on animal abuse and neglect outdated?

Also, I hope the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the government can cooperate to promote animal welfare and better care for pets, as well as ways to tend to abandoned or neglected animals. A dedicated police unit to fight animal cruelty is also long overdue.

Jennifer Chik, Tsing Yi