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More bite, please: Hong Kong animal rights groups say new anti-cruelty bill with stiffer penalties not tough enough
- Amendment to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance will require owners to ensure welfare of pets
- Rights activists want law to protect animals at abattoirs, markets, and rules on feeding strays
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Hong Kong animal rights groups have welcomed the government’s move to tighten anti-cruelty laws, but some say the proposed changes do not go far enough to deter abusers.
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A bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance will go before the Legislative Council later this year, increasing penalties, introducing a new indictable offence and strengthening enforcement powers to prevent pets from suffering physically and mentally.
The proposals include imposing a “duty of care” on those responsible for animals, requiring owners to safeguard their welfare.
Owners may be penalised if they fail to take care of their animals, including keeping them in good shape and health, letting them exercise and play regularly, and providing them clean water and a balanced diet. They must also take sick pets to the vet, and vaccinate them.
The bill proposes increasing the maximum penalty for offenders to seven years’ jail and a fine of up to HK$1,000,000 (US$127,000).
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