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Leopold Chen

Danny Mok

Hong Kong authorities have arrested the owner of a large, unleashed dog that fatally attacked two smaller pets in Yuen Long, with the incident sparking calls for heavier penalties for irresponsible pet owners.
The owner of the 60kg (132lbs) dog was arrested in Yuen Long on Tuesday afternoon in an operation by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), according to a spokesman.
Officers recorded a statement from the owner, while the dog remained under observation at the department’s management centre.
The AFCD also confirmed that the same dog had been detained on July 10 in connection with another case, which involved an attack on another canine.
The animal was later released to its owner, who was warned that it must be kept under proper control in public places, including being restrained on a leash no longer than two metres (6.6 feet).
“The department is investigating both incidents and will initiate prosecution if sufficient evidence is found,” the spokesman said.


Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Dogs Regulation, owners of canines weighing 20kg or more must keep them securely held on a leash no longer than two metres in public places.
Violators face a maximum Level 4 fine of HK$25,000 (US$3,200) and up to three months’ imprisonment.
“It is time to review … whether this offence should be subject to a Level 4 fine or should be moved to a Level 5 fine [HK$50,000],” Dr Fiona Woodhouse, deputy director of welfare at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said.
She added that Hong Kong should consider extending the leash requirement to all dogs, regardless of size.
“Big dogs obviously can cause more significant injuries because of their size, but equally there can be conflicts with smaller dogs as well, and 20kg is a little bit of an arbitrary size,” she said.
On Monday, the unmuzzled, off-leash dog killed two small pets – a 17-year-old, 5kg miniature poodle and a four-year-old, 5kg bichon frise – at the Yoho Mall car park in Yuen Long.
Authorities later captured the large dog and confirmed it was microchipped and held a valid licence. Its breed has not yet been determined.
A day after the incident, many social media users shared heartbreaking accounts of their pets being injured or even killed by large dogs in Hong Kong.
One user wrote on Threads that her 14-year-old corgi had been killed by a 35kg wolfdog – also unleashed – three months earlier.
She said the attacking wolfdog had a record of seriously injuring other animals, but the owner dismissed the incidents and continued to condone the dog’s behaviour.
“Very likely the owner would only be fined, and the dog would be classified as a known dangerous dog. Everything is useless if we do not amend the laws!” she said.

Another user said her 4kg poodle was seriously injured by a 40kg unleashed dog and had to be admitted to intensive care in 2024.
“Now in 2026, the owner was finally convicted following the department’s prosecution, but it only resulted in a HK$2,000 fine and the attacker being classified as a known dangerous dog. It was not deterring at all,” she said.
Sally Andersen, founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue, said the department’s loose enforcement of the licensing regime had created loopholes that allowed some irresponsible dog owners to dodge responsibility.
She said some people had abandoned or given away microchipped dogs without changing the registered owner, and either the old or new keeper then denied responsibility when such incidents occurred.
Andersen said that the AFCD tended not to hold them accountable in such cases.
“People know exactly how the system works, and they just exploit that,” she said.
Andersen called for Hong Kong to tighten its animal cruelty laws by requiring owners to take proper care of their animals and introducing a “duty of care” regime.
“People should have to provide a minimum of space, exercise, food, water and companionship. If you cannot provide those, you should not have a dog,” she said.
Kent Luk Ka-chit, founder of the charity Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, also supported pushing for a duty of care under animal welfare legislation.
“Owners should treat dogs as family members rather than tools for guarding the door, and train them in proper leash control so they do not chase people or small animals,” he said.
Luk cautioned that simply enhancing penalties without proper education might encourage some owners to dodge responsibilities by not microchipping their dogs and refusing to claim ownership of unleashed canines.
The government began public consultation on legislation for a duty-of-care regime under animal welfare laws in 2019, with 88.6 per cent of submissions in favour of the move.
But the legislative timetable remains unclear, with authorities citing “divergent views” among stakeholders.
Additional reporting by Kristen Cheung


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News

Hong Kong

Society

Animal welfare group’s deputy director calls for a penalty review, urging an extension of the leash requirement to all dogs, regardless of size


Animal welfare group’s deputy director calls for a penalty review, urging an extension of the leash requirement to all dogs, regardless of size.


Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Owner of unleashed 60kg dog arrested after 2 small pets killed in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Animal welfare group’s deputy director calls for a penalty review, urging an extension of the leash requirement to all dogs, regardless of size

Animal welfare group’s deputy director calls for a penalty review, urging an extension of the leash requirement to all dogs, regardless of size