‘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…
A female American Bully named Monchiu lost her life during a routine neutering surgery in Hong Kong. The owners, who call themselves "dad and mum", claim the dog was unfit for the operation due to her vision and hearing impairments, as well as skin issues. Despite her physical defects, they chose to proceed with the surgery to avoid potential confiscation by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Monchiu had been repeatedly reported since authorities intensified their checks, but she was reportedly obedient and posed no threat. The owners insist that Monchiu is a victim of the indiscriminate law enforcement by the department. They argue that the classification of fighting dogs is indiscriminate and risky for Bully dogs, who should not undergo forced sterilization surgery.
The department maintains that it classifies dogs based on type, not breed, and that the three breeds in question (American Bully, American pit bull terrier, and American Staffordshire terrier) have always been subject to strict regulations. The department says that if a classified fighting dog is unfit for surgery, it will escort the animal to a private veterinary clinic for desexing, but only if the veterinarian believes the dog's health can be restored before the surgery.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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