Government considers harsher penalties for dog abandonment

Police and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department officers search for dangerous dogs near the earlier fatal dog attack incident site along Pok Wai South Road and Kam Pok Road for the fourth consecutive day.

As of Wednesday night, officers captured eight dogs.

In response to the latest fatal dog attack, the government is considering heavier penalties for dog abandonment to further reduce the stray dog population.

Speaking on a radio program, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan points out that abandonment is the root of the stray dog problem.

Tse says there is a need to increase owners' responsibilities and raise penalties to strengthen the deterrent effects.

Tse adds stepping up public education is also necessary to stop abandonment at its source, hoping to eventually eliminate this issue in Hong Kong.