Police found 32 dead animals and one live lizard in a unit in an industrial building on Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, on October 29. The dead animals were 23 turtles, seven lizards and two fish.
The unit’s manager called police after being unable to contact the tenant and finding animal remains, Commercial Radio reported. The animal-welfare organisation said the surviving lizard was close to death, most of the carcasses were badly decomposed, and no food or water was found. It estimated that most animals died slowly after a prolonged lack of care.
The surviving lizard was sent for examination and treatment. The 32 carcasses were being held at the organisation’s centre in Tsing Yi pending transfer to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for autopsies to establish the cause of death.
Police arrested a 24-year-old man in Kwun Tong on suspicion of cruel treatment of animals. He was released on bail pending investigation and must report to police in late November.