The raid of 149 caged dogs discovered at a facility in Lau Fau Shan on 3 September 2010 saw the SPCA work with the police and AFCD over many months, to collect evidence, locate the defendants and seize the dogs as case exhibits.
The dogs were found to be suffering both mentally and physically. Confined in small, filthy cages, stacked three high, they exhibited severe stereotypic behaviour, spinning in circles uncontrollably. Most had dreadful skin conditions and filthy matted coats.
Each of the 149 rescued dogs underwent a veterinary examination and identification, and were transferred to the SPCA and AFCD. Over 50 of the sickest dogs were sent to the SPCA Wanchai Centre where another team of staff were waiting to provide a secondary veterinary checkup and longer term treatment and care.
A number of the dogs were pregnant, and their pups were born soon after, bringing the numbers to 186. Many of our staff personally fostered them while they waited for the prosecution case to complete.
On 6 April 2011, the dogs’ owner was found guilty of causing and permitting unnecessary suffering to animals, and keeping dogs without licenses. He was fined a paltry HK$5,000 under the “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance” and sentenced to 150 hours of community service. It could not be proven by law that he was breeding dogs for sale.
But these events raised awareness of the need for better legislation, governing the welfare of companion animals and also the breeding and trading of them, which is resulting in tightening of laws today.
About Puppy Trade
Pet Shops
According to the AFCD, nearly 600 pedigree puppies are sold in Hong Kong’s pet shops every month. If you are planning to buy a puppy from a pet shop, you are supporting a long chain of cruelty.
Puppy Mills
Simply put, they are large scale dog breeding operations that aim to produce the most number of puppies for the least cost ...
Puppy Farm Raid
The Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – as we were known in the early days – was formed by a group of volunteers in 1903 who wanted...
Pet Smuggling
The Dali pet market operates from Monday to Friday and provides wholesale and retail sales of animals, pet accessories, pharmaceuticals and veterinary services. It is also a national ...
Genetic Illness
Pedigree dogs are a result of selective, restrictive breeding for characteristics that are "aesthetically pleasing” of a particular breed. Unfortunately, these practices have resulted in breeds with ...
Legislative Changes
For many years, anyone claiming to be a private pet owner was free to sell dogs and puppies. Owners did not need to undergo any licensing or inspections; there were no limitations or ...
Ban the Breeder
We believe that adoption is the best option. A visit to any one of our Centres will reveal a wide range of dogs available. You may find the breed you are looking for, or fall in love with a wonderful ...
Rabies
Rabies is a zoonotic disease (i.e. one that can be transmitted to humans from animals) that is caused by a virus. It can infect both domestic and wild mammals and is fatal once symptoms ...