Health Chief Defends Killing Of Thai Dog

The Secretary for Health, Sophia Chan, has defended under-fire Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department officials, who decided to kill a dog that arrived in the city unaccompanied on a cargo ship from Thailand.

Chan pointed out the dog was suspected to have come from an area with a rabies outbreak.

She said officers couldn't find any identification on the dog, and had to protect public health.

"They are actually very worried about rabies and so therefore it is important that they have these measures to protect public health," she said.

Chan said the dog owner could contact the government, and the dog's body would be returned to them.

"Whoever can prove that they are the owner, they can actually contact AFCD to work with them on the procedures."

Animal-lovers were outraged at the news that the dog, which is thought to have boarded the vessel in Thailand by accident, was killed soon after it was found.

Democratic Party lawmaker Roy Kwong, who pressed officials to explain the decision, said the dog arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday and was killed within a day.

He said some 30,000 people have signed an online petition he launched – slamming the government and asking the department to apologise for what he said was an irresponsible and ridiculous action.

DAB lawmaker Elizabeth Quat said it was not appropriate for the department to kill the dog because of the country it came from, without confirming it did have rabies.