Lawmakers Want Animal Welfare Law Expanded

Planned changes to the law to ensure the fair treatment of animals have been welcomed by lawmakers, with some calling on the authorities to look into more areas, such as the plight of stray animals and those sold at markets.

Civic Party lawmaker Jeremy Tam, a member of Legco's Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, said he welcomed the proposals unveiled by the government.

But he also called on the administration to issue guidelines on the way fish and frogs are killed at wet market stalls, which he said can be quite shocking at times.

Tam admitted that it would be difficult to change practices that have been around for years, but said the authorities should find a way.

Another member from the panel, the DAB's Elizabeth Quat, said her party agrees with the new government proposals. She urged the government to also consider strengthening regulations on the putting down of animals and the treatment of strays.

"For animals in deep pain, or very old ones ... euthanasia is one way," she said.

The lawmaker urged the authorities to study how other cities are dealing with such issues.