Hong Kong urged to adopt trait-based dog tiers, DNA checks after fatal attacks

Hong Kong should adopt a tiered risk framework for dogs, including DNA testing and physical assessments, to identify breeds with aggressive traits following three fatal attacks within a week, a veterinary surgeon and lawmaker argue. The calls come after a recent fatal mauling at a pet training center, where a 33-year-old woman was attacked by a suspected mixed-breed fighting dog and later died. Authorities found the dog shared genetic traits with the banned pit bull terrier, though its microchip indicated it was a mongrel.

Veterinarian Lai Cheong-sang suggested replacing Hong Kong's breed-specific categorization system with a trait-based, tiered system to classify dogs' danger levels and assign corresponding control measures. Lai called for mandatory training, leashing, regular assessments, and certification for owners of high-risk breeds, with the government empowered to confiscate dogs posing the highest danger. The government should also confiscate dogs that are dangerous or smuggled.

In a separate incident, a 60kg mastiff-type dog mauled two smaller dogs in Yuen Long last week. Hong Kong law currently classifies pit bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, and Fila Brasileiro, and their crossbreeds, as fighting dogs with banned importation and breeding. Existing fighting dogs must be neutered, leashed, muzzled, and wear a special collar in public.

Lai noted that determining ancestry traits of breeds at an early age is challenging, but the department could require DNA tests for all mongrels or set standards for physical features to determine danger levels. Legislative Council's food safety and environmental hygiene panel chairwoman, Chan Hoi-yan, suggested dynamic risk assessments for dogs, stating that fighting dog features may emerge as they grow. Chan supported expanding the list of fighting dogs but cautioned against making it too broad.