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Theodora Yu

Danny Mok

A Hong Kong man has surrendered his dog after authorities detained it and classified it as a fighting breed – the third known case in a week following a spate of attacks in the city.
The case came as animal welfare groups called for clarity on the government’s breed-classification procedures and a transparent appeal mechanism. They warned that heightened anxiety could lead to more pet abandonment and unfair stereotyping of certain breeds.
Jacqueline Cheung, founder of the non-profit Love Adopt Animal Society, told the South China Morning Post on Tuesday that she took ownership of seven-year-old Bobo the previous day after the animal’s owner relinquished her at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
The original owner had taken his licensed pet to the department for vaccination last Wednesday but was later told that the dog was suspected of being a fighting breed. The animal was held until Monday and subsequently classified as a pit bull terrier crossbreed.
The owner reportedly has brain cancer and was unable to cope with the pressure of caring for Bobo. He sought help from volunteers, who eventually put him in touch with Cheung.
According to Cheung, a former veterinary nurse, Bobo was well behaved but had severe eye inflammation and was covered in ticks when she collected her from the department. The dog was also diagnosed with heartworm, which typically takes at least six months to develop after a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito.

“While pet abandonment can occur with zero accountability on the part of the owner, there is a high chance the dog would likely be put down [if no one adopts her],” she said.
Bobo, now called Bowie, is being kept at a pet hotel under Cheung’s supervision.
Cheung said the department’s seizures could make owners more reluctant to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies or receive booster shots, potentially affecting public health.
She said she would appeal against the department’s classification and hoped it could provide owners with more details about the appeal mechanism.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) called for greater procedural clarity over breed classification, more transparent and consistent breed verification procedures, and a review of the definition and management arrangements for “dangerous dogs”.
It added that this would “help reassure the community and protect public safety while ensuring animal welfare is properly prioritised”.
The group also said that heightened anxiety over recent cases could lead to “unnecessary conflict between neighbours, pet abandonment or unfair assumptions about dogs based solely on their size, appearance or perceived breed”.
“Such reactions risk reversing years of collective progress towards a more pet-inclusive and compassionate city,” it said.
In the past week, the department seized eight-year-old Baku from his home, while 10-year-old Baobao was at risk of being seized from a coffee shop unless he was neutered immediately. The government later said both dogs had pit bull lineage.

Baku’s owner confirmed to the SCMP that the dog returned home on Monday.
April Yip, founder of Home for Homeless Dogs, said Baku’s owner was considering whether to appeal against the department’s classification.
She told the SCMP that the owner was dissatisfied that the department had renewed Baku’s licence as a “mongrel” in January, only to reclassify the dog as an alleged fighting breed seven months later.
In response to SCMP, an AFCD spokesman said the department had drawn on international law-enforcement experience to identify the breed through visual assessments of the dog’s physical characteristics, body proportions and physique.
He said American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and American bullies had long been classified as pit bull terriers – a category of fighting dogs subject to bans on importation and breeding.
He added that owners who disagreed with the department’s classification could apply to the Dogs and Cats Classification Board within 14 days for a review of the decision.
Under Hong Kong law, pit bull terriers, dogo Argentinos, Japanese Tosas, Fila Brasileiros and their crossbreeds are classified as fighting dogs.
The law requires fighting dogs to be neutered by a registered veterinary surgeon, while owners must obtain a valid neutering certificate.
Anyone who possesses a fighting dog but cannot produce a veterinary certificate showing that it has been neutered could face a maximum penalty of a HK$50,000 (US$6,378) fine and six months’ imprisonment.


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Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Welfare groups seek clarity on breed classification amid third fighting dog case

Bowie, formerly known as Bobo, was relinquished after authorities classified her as a fighting breed. Photo: The Love Adopt Animal Society

Bowie’s case has prompted renewed calls for transparent breed checks and an appeal mechanism for Hong Kong dog owners. Photo: The Love Adopt Animal Society

Baku was seized by authorities and was classified as a fighting breed seven months after his licence was renewed as a mongrel. Photo: Home for Homeless Dogs

Backlash grows after Hong Kong authorities seize  second ‘fighting dog’ in week

Baku was taken away on Friday after a complaint from a neighbour, a charity says. Photo: Handout

Pet owner barred from leaving Hong Kong pending trial over his dog’s fatal attacks

Ng Shui-ting, 52, leaves Tuen Mun Court after being released on bail pending trial over allegations that his 60kg dog killed two pets and injured another. Photo: Edmond So

An online petition calls on authorities not to euthanise Lali, urging that the dog undergo a behavioural assessment, rehabilitation and transfer to an animal welfare organisation. Photo: Threads/awingchw

News

Hong Kong

Society

Animal groups fear unclear rules could lead to more dog abandonment after owner gives up pet classed as fighting breed, the third such case in a week


Animal groups fear unclear rules could lead to more dog abandonment after owner gives up pet classed as fighting breed, the third such case in a week.


Welfare groups seek clarity on breed classification amid third fighting dog case

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Animal groups fear unclear rules could lead to more dog abandonment after owner gives up pet classed as fighting breed, the third such case in a week

Animal groups fear unclear rules could lead to more dog abandonment after owner gives up pet classed as fighting breed, the third such case in a week