Hong Kong authorities have filed charges against the owner of a large dog that attacked two smaller pets earlier this week for not adequately controlling the animal, which is now in government custody.
The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced on Wednesday that it has charged the 52-year-old owner with failing to manage a large dog in accordance with the Dangerous Dogs Regulation and is also considering additional charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.
It said the man was suspected of failing to properly leash the animal in public on at least two occasions in July and August, resulting in one dog being injured and another two being killed.
It added that the dog was also under observation at an animal management facility operated by the department. It did not say whether it would euthanize the animal.
“The man concerned has signed a consent form surrendering the custody of the dog to the AFCD,” it said.
“The AFCD will conduct a temperament assessment on the dog to determine the appropriate handling method.”
It added: “The AFCD attaches great importance to the matter and will work closely with the Department of Justice to carry out investigation and prosecution work.”
Under the regulation, dogs weighing more than 20kg must be securely kept on a lead no longer than two metres (6.5 feet) in public places.
Violators face a maximum fine of HK$25,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The department added that under the ordinance anyone convicted of wantonly or unreasonably performing or failing to perform any action that caused unnecessary suffering to an animal faced a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$200,000.
The case is due to be heard at Tuen Mun Court later today.
In reply to South China Morning Post queries, the AFCD said that between 2023 and 2025 it had initiated 679 prosecutions for cases involving dog attacks, including on both humans and other animals, under the Rabies Ordinance and the Dangerous Dogs Regulation.
The Rabies Ordinance gives authorised officers the power to destroy animals suspected of having rabies or in certain other limited circumstances.
Kent Luk Ka-chit, founder of Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, said the owner had signed an AFCD surrender form at a police station on Tuesday to hand over the dog, a five-year-old male named “Lali”.
While running loose, Lali killed a 17-year-old miniature poodle and a four-year-old bichon frisé in separate attacks within about 20 minutes near Yoho Mall in Yuen Long on Monday.
AFCD officers arrested the owner on Tuesday in Yuen Long. The department also confirmed that it had previously detained Lali after he attacked another dog on July 10, before allowing the owner to take him home with a warning to keep the animal properly restrained in public.
Earlier on Wednesday, Jackie Yip Yin, the department’s assistant director for inspection and quarantine, said the 60kg (132lbs) mixed-breed dog remained under observation.
“If the owner ultimately decides to hand the dog over to the government, we will determine an appropriate way to handle it,” she told a radio show.
“If necessary, this includes considering humane euthanasia.”
Yip said authorities were also considering applying for a court order to classify the canine as a known dangerous dog. This would subject the animal to tighter controls, including a requirement that it be muzzled in public.
Adoption by a new owner could also be considered, although government veterinarians would need to assess the dog’s behaviour and take its previous attacks into account, she added.
Under the Dogs and Cats Ordinance, a magistrate may order a dog to be destroyed or kept under effective control if it is considered dangerous and has not been properly controlled.
Luk said Lali had changed hands several times before reaching his current owner.
Lali was initially taken in by a wealthy family that intended to use him as a guard dog at their home. But he was later given away after struggling to get along with another dog in the household, he said.
Luk said he believed Lali to be a Mastiff-type dog, a powerful breed historically raised for protecting livestock.
He added that such animals required experienced handling and secure containment because of their size and strength.
He said very large breeds could be particularly challenging for owners in Hong Kong who lacked the space or resources to control them properly. But he stressed that responsible ownership and enforcement were more important than simply blaming particular breeds.
