New Animal Laws Desperately Needed: Expert

An expert on animal law said there's widespread support in Hong Kong for new animal welfare laws that would legally require people to care for their animals.

The appeal comes following a spate of suspected animal cruelty cases in recent months.

Amanda Whitfort, an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Law, said the government appears willing to improve the situation, as Chief Executive Carrie Lam had said in her Policy Address in October that officials would be studying duty of care.

Addressing a Global Animal Law Conference, Whitfort said such a law would have a significant impact.

“It would streamline the current desperate stage of the legislation, clarify the law for stakeholders, and finally empower authorities to intervene to rescue animals before they begin to suffer”, she said.

“The new law should apply to all of Hong Kong’s animals, no matter what species, wild or tame, and in any context.”