Backlash grows after Hong Kong authorities seize second ‘fighting dog’ in week

Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is facing criticism after seizing a second "fighting dog" from its owner within a week. The department acted following a complaint from a neighbour, detaining the pit bull terrier for behavioural evaluation. This comes amid heightened public concern over canine management, following two recent attacks involving pit bull terriers, one of which resulted in a woman's death and another that killed two small pet dogs.

The second dog, named Baku, was seized on Friday night after a complaint from a neighbour. Baku, an eight-year-old dog licensed as a mongrel, was taken from his home in Stanley without allowing the owner to visit. The Home for Homeless Dogs, a local shelter, urged the department to allow the owner immediate visitation rights, disclose Baku's physical and mental condition, and release the dog as soon as possible.

Baku's owner, Mr Lai, said the dog was microchipped and neutered in accordance with the law when he adopted him four years ago. He described Baku as a gentle and friendly dog with no history of attacking humans or animals. However, the department's officers determined Baku was a pit bull terrier after taking photos and videos, and threatened to call the police if the owner did not cooperate.

The department stated that it acted on a report of an allegedly unregistered fighting dog, but the shelter argued that the officers disregarded the dog's official licensing records and detained it based on one unverified complaint. They warned that this lack of professional judgment and transparency could undermine public trust in the licensing regime and trigger a wave of pet abandonments.

Under Hong Kong law, pit bull terriers, dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, fila Brasileiro and their crossbreeds are classified as fighting dogs. Owners must neuter these dogs by a registered veterinary surgeon, obtain a valid desexing certificate, and secure them in public places or face penalties including up to three months in jail and a HK$25,000 fine.