'Two dogs linked to fatal attack are microchipped'

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) disclosed on Monday that two of the three stray canines apprehended during a night-time operation in Yuen Long possess microchips. The trio of dogs are suspected to be involved in a fatal incident that occurred on Saturday night near Pok Wai South Road. Authorities are attempting to reach out to the owners, who could face legal consequences if evidence emerges indicating they neglected their duties.

Simultaneously, the AFCD carried out a coordinated operation with the police on Pok Wai South Road in the afternoon, and located one stray dog that has thus far proven elusive. In addition to patrolling neighboring communities, the team also examined the microchips of canines residing in warehouses and logistics companies. Legislative member Mark Chong has urged the government to contemplate limiting the provision of food to stray dogs.

He noted that while residents, volunteers, and local workers often offer sustenance to stray and village dogs with good intentions, unregulated feeding poses significant safety hazards. Regular feeding leads to the formation of packs, with multiple dogs banding together to fiercely defend their territories and reproduce at a rapid pace.

Chong emphasized that compassion should be coupled with responsible management; otherwise, well-intentioned feeding will escalate the size of the dog population and the risk for the neighborhood. Yuen Long district councillor Allan Wong, on the other hand, believes the recent dog attack was an isolated case. He asserted that owners who abandon their pets should be held legally accountable.

Wong called for strong enforcement actions to ensure dog keepers are held responsible if animals are abandoned, stating that society at large should condemn such irresponsible behavior, as the consequences of abandonment and public safety risks are shared.