Every dog attack is one tragedy too many: AFCD

Every single incident involving a dog attack is one tragedy in excess, according to Jackie Yip, an assistant director for Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation. This statement came after a 27-year-old woman lost her life while cycling home in Yuen Long on Saturday night. Three stray dogs, two of which had microchips, were subsequently caught in connection with the fatal incident.

The police are actively pursuing the owners for further action. Yip expressed deep regret and concern over the matter, emphasizing that if stray dogs were indeed responsible, the government has a moral obligation to take measures to ensure public safety. The primary focus now is on reducing the number of stray dogs through mandatory registration, vaccination, and desexing, along with public education aimed at preventing abandonment.

In the immediate future, authorities plan to intensify efforts in high-risk areas through targeted capture operations and stricter enforcement against dog owners. Yip also highlighted that the joint operation with the police in the Pok Wai South Road area of Yuen Long will continue for an extended period. She noted that the time of the incident, being late at night, could potentially increase the associated risks if stray dogs were involved. Therefore, the current strategy involves broadening the search area to mitigate that risk.