Taiwanese cat breeder who says her Persian kittens were stolen and smuggled to Hong Kong calls on authorities to investigate the theft

A Taiwanese cat breeder has come to Hong Kong to urge authorities to investigate the theft of her two Persian kittens, claiming that a Hong Kong woman stole and smuggled them into the city during Lunar New Year.

Chang Jin-yi, who has filed a report with Hong Kong police, customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in recent days, said her two white Persian kittens, five-month-old Anngi and four-month-old Dalii, had an estimated market price of HK$50,000 (US$6,370).

“The whole thing is a nightmare,” said Chang, who runs a cattery in New Taipei City. “I hope the Hong Kong government can do something for us.”

Chang suspected that a Hong Kong woman who had previously visited her cattery several times was behind the theft. She said the woman, whom she knew as Alice Lee, had tried to buy cats, including Anngi, from her. But Chang said she refused because she did not think Lee could provide a suitable home.

Lee paid Chang a visit at her home on February 5, the first day of Lunar New Year and after she had left, Chang discovered the two kittens were missing. She viewed CCTV footage from outside her flat and it showed that Lee had left with the cats and put them into a white bag.

Chang believed Lee flew out of Taiwan the same day she arrived.

Local media later reported that Lee had smuggled the two kittens through Taoyuan International Airport by hiding them under her clothes, and passing herself off as pregnant.

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Chang said Lee later admitted responsibility for the theft and returned the two kittens to her through a friend in Hong Kong.

“They are physically healthy, but mentally affected. They are now scared of people. They used to like people,” she said, adding that it would take another six months for them to get back to Taiwan because of quarantine requirements.

While Chang had also filed a report with police in Taipei, an AFP report earlier quoted the New Taipei City Police Department as saying that they were treating the incident as a burglary but their hands were tied because of the lack of an extradition agreement between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho, who has been helping Chang, said the Hong Kong woman could have violated local laws and regulations, including bringing the cats into Hong Kong without quarantine inspection and dealing with stolen goods.

“The evidence is obvious. Actually, the person has already admitted [to having stolen and smuggled the cats] in a conversation with Ms Chang,” Tam said, adding that the two cats had had microchips attached in Taiwan.

“She made a detailed report to the police and the AFCD. The authorities have no reason not to make an arrest … It’s a shame that the Hong Kong government has not taken any action yet.”

The Post contacted Lee and her husband for comment, but had not heard back from them at the time of publication.

TVB reported on Wednesday that Lee intended to go to Taiwan to turn herself in.

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In a long hand-written letter released by the television station, Lee apologised for her actions and said she took the cats because Chang had turned down her request. “My mind kept thinking about Anngi. My heart ruled my head. I went to Taiwan to take the cats back to Hong Kong with me.”

She said she returned the cats to Chang’s friend in Hong Kong on February 7.

The AFCD told the Post that its staff met Chang on Monday to ascertain the cats’ condition and that it would continue to help deal with the cats’ quarantine in Hong Kong and take proper follow-up action if there is any illegal act.

The import of dogs and cats to Hong Kong must be accompanied by a valid import permit and health certification. Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap 139) and Rabies Ordinance (Cap 421), people who import animals without a valid permit are liable to a fine of up to HK$50,000 and one year in prison.