Press Releases
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Stricter controls on dangerous dogs The Chief Executive in Council has endorsed a new regulation to apply more stringent controls on dogs constituting a potential risk to public safety. The Dangerous Dogs Regulation has been submitted to the Legislative Council for consideration. A Government spokesman said: "The new regulation will place stricter control on three distinct classes of dogs to provide increased protection to the general public. "Dogs to be put under tightened controls include 'fighting dogs', 'known dangerous dogs' and 'large dogs'." The fighting breeds include dogs such as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasiliera and Dogo Argentina. "These dogs have been bred for fighting. They may attack a person without provocation or warning and inflict injuries that may well be fatal. "The new regulation will ban the breeding and importing of these fighting breeds, with the aim of phasing them out in seven to 10 years time," the spokesman said. At present, there are about 200 Pit Bull Terriers in Hong Kong and few, if any, of the other breeds. For those who choose to keep existing fighting dogs, they would be allowed to do so only under very tight controlled conditions, the spokesman said. "Fighting dogs" would be required to be neutered, fitted with a distinctive reflective collar at all times, and be securely held on a leash of no longer than 1.5 metres in length and fitted with a muzzle when in public places. The "known dangerous dogs" category would consist of dogs being classified as such by a magistrate on application showing that the dog had inflicted severe injury on a person or domestic animal. Controls similar to those for "fighting dogs" would be placed on the "known dangerous dogs". The "large dog" category would cover all dogs weighing 20 kilograms or more. Dogs under this category would have to be muzzled and held on a leash of no longer than 1.5 metres in length when in indoor public places, including the common part of a building. "Large dogs" should be held securely on a leash of no longer than two metres in length in outdoor public places. The spokesman said country parks would be excluded from the scope of control for "large dogs" under the new regulation. The existing control under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulation would continue to apply to "large dogs", which meant that such dogs could be exercised off leash in country parks provided they were being kept under proper control. "With stricter control, the general public may find themselves more secure when they are in a confined area with large dogs, such as inside a lift, passageway or the lobby of a building," he added. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department had consulted the Provisional District Boards, animal welfare groups, veterinary associations and kennel clubs, taking into account their views in drawing up the new regulation. Members of the public having any enquiries can call the Agriculture and Fisheries Department at 2362 3257. |
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