Bounty doubles to find Mui Wo 'dog killer'

Mui Wo residents have doubled a reward for a suspected poisoner after a fifth dog died an excruciating death in the Lantau town.

A pedigree Scottish terrier owned by local resident Lynn Charleston convulsed and died yesterday, after apparently consuming poisoned bait while on a walk with its owner that morning.

The bounty was raised from HK$30,000 to HK$60,000 after another resident put up the extra money.

A friend, Julie Nunn, said Charleston had taken her dog out at about 11.30am, when it ran up to a tree and ate the bait near Mui Wo School.

The dog showed no sign of being ill when she brought it home and she went to work.

But her maid telephoned her at 5pm with the news that the dog was convulsing violently. It was taken to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' veterinary clinic in Mui Wo where it died.