‘A victim’: American Bully dies in surgery, owners question fighting dog rules
Owners hope Monchiu’s death will ‘fight for the vindication and rectification of other Bullies in Hong Kong’
The owners of an American Bully are challenging the authorities’ classification of “fighting dogs” after their pet, a breed strictly controlled in Hong Kong, died during neutering, a procedure they undertook amid a crackdown on non-compliance.
Monchiu, a female, died under anaesthesia during the operation at a veterinary clinic on Friday, her owners said on social media late on Saturday.
They said the dog, who suffered from vision and hearing impairment, as well as skin problems, was unfit for surgery but they proceeded out of fear she might be taken into the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s custody.
The owners said the dog had been repeatedly reported since authorities stepped up checks, although they insisted she was obedient and posed no threat.
“We were very afraid that it would be reported and taken to the department for detention. It had physical defects – it was born blind in one eye and could not hear, and had skin problems – and she could not survive such hot weather in the detention cell,” said the owners, who called themselves “dad and mum”.
“Monchiu is a victim under the indiscriminate law enforcement of the department.”