‘A victim’: American Bully dies in surgery, owners question fighting dog rules
The owners of an American Bully are challenging the authorities’ classification of “fighting dogs” after their pet, a breed strictly controlled in Hong Kong, died during neutering, a procedure they undertook amid a crackdown on non-compliance. Monchiu, a female, died under anaesthesia during the operation at a veterinary clinic on Friday, her owners said on social media late on Saturday. They…
The owners of a female American Bully, Monchiu, have criticized Hong Kong authorities for classifying fighting dogs after their pet died during a routine neutering procedure. Monchiu, who suffered from vision, hearing, and skin issues, was deemed unfit for surgery due to her health conditions. Her owners, referred to as "dad and mum," claim they proceeded with the operation to avoid having Monchiu taken into custody by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
The department recently classified American Bullys, pit bull terriers, and American Staffordshire terriers as "fighting dogs," subjecting them to strict regulations. Despite the owners' insistence that Monchiu was obedient and no threat, the department maintains that the law targets types of dogs, not breeds, and that Monchiu's classification was based on the department's assessment of her physical characteristics and risk factors.
The department has not received any inquiries regarding Monchiu and insists it did not classify her as a fighting dog. The agency advises dog owners to consult a registered veterinarian before subjecting their pets to surgical procedures and to seek verification if they are concerned about their animals falling under fighting dog regulations.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
