Hong Kong authorities charge woman who allegedly kept 136 dogs without licences

Hong Kong authorities have charged a woman with allegedly keeping 136 dogs without the required licences at a shelter that was previously investigated for suspected animal cruelty, according to the South China Morning Post. The Agriculture, Conservation and Fisheries Department (AFCD) initiated the prosecution after conducting a raid following complaints about the shelter in Yuen Long district.

The spokesman for AFCD revealed that during the operation, they found 136 dogs believed to be unlicensed. The woman has been summoned to court, with the case set to be heard at Tuen Mun Court on September 2. She faces prosecution under the Rabies Ordinance, which requires owners to obtain a licence for dogs over five months old, which must be renewed every three years.

Violators can be fined up to HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,270) if convicted. A source familiar with the situation told the SCMP that the suspect and the dog shelter had been previously investigated for animal cruelty allegations. The AFCD spokesman confirmed a separate investigation into suspected animal cruelty at a dog shelter on Ching Tam Road in Yuen Long on May 25.

Officers were initially unable to enter the facility on May 21 due to a complaint about dogs allegedly kept in cages in open areas. They returned the following day with police to conduct a more thorough investigation. During this operation, AFCD officers discovered dogs kept in cages without proper shelter and took 12 of them into their care, though the exact number of dogs found in cages was not disclosed.