Woman charged after 136 dogs found without licences at Yuen Long shelter

A Hong Kong woman has been prosecuted for allegedly keeping 136 dogs without licences at an animal shelter in Yuen Long.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department logo. File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Wednesday that it had charged the woman under the city’s Rabies Regulation, which stipulates that all dogs over five months old must hold a valid licence.

“Following complaints received earlier concerning an animal shelter located in Yuen Long District, the AFCD immediately conducted a blitz inspection of the premises,” the department said in a statement.

“During the operation, a total of 136 dogs were suspected of being kept without valid licences.”

The AFCD added that the case will be mentioned at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on September 2.

The Rabies Regulation also requires dog owners to renew the licences for their dogs every three years.

The AFCD reminded owners that regular vaccinations and licence renewals for their dogs are important measures to safeguard animal health and public safety.

Last month, Hong Kong began allowing pet dogs in restaurants, relaxing a decades-old ban to foster a “pet-friendly” environment.

Hong Kong Free Press news hound Pixel. File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

The government issued licences to more than 900 restaurants and cafes for the dog-friendly scheme after receiving over 2,200 applications.

Dogs in permitted restaurants must be kept on a leash not exceeding 1.5 metres, according to the new policy. The leash must be held by an adult or tied to a fixture.