The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has rejected claims that unclaimed dogs are automatically euthanised after four days, following a suspected fatal dog attack near Pok Wai South Road in Yuen Long. A five-day joint operation with police in the surrounding area captured eight unattended dogs and was completed on 24 September.
The dispute began after the founder of Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter alleged, in a radio programme reported by HK01, that healthy stray dogs without microchips or owners were disposed of four days after being captured. The department said that account was untrue and that the four-day period required under the Rabies Ordinance and related legislation is a window for enquiries and attempts to locate an owner.
After capturing a dog, the department checks for a microchip and dog licence, contacts the registered keeper using the registration details and checks lost-animal records. If no keeper can be found, animal-management-centre staff and veterinarians observe the dog. Healthy, docile dogs may then be sent to partner animal-welfare organisations for sterilisation and adoption.
That process is not immediate: the department said transfer to a partner organisation generally takes several weeks to several months, depending on the animal’s health, temperament and the organisation’s capacity. It said dogs without keepers would not be returned to the community because uncontrolled animals can pose public-safety risks in a densely populated city, which sterilisation alone cannot eliminate.
Of the eight dogs captured, three had microchips, but all three of their licences had expired. A frontline worker was also injured during the operation: the department said the worker was bitten on the hand while on duty on 23 September, received treatment and remained under hospital observation in stable condition.
Residents who encounter a suspected uncontrolled dog should not chase or provoke it. The department advises reporting it through 1823, and calling police immediately if the dog is behaving aggressively or presents an immediate danger.