Pet Shops Need Stricter Controls: Activist

An animal rights activist said on Sunday that pet shops should also be more tightly regulated if the law is to be changed to increase animal protection.

Mark Mak, executive chairman of the non-profit Veterinary Services Society, says local authorities may have difficulty inspecting private premises that are used to breed animals.

Mak spoke to reporters after appearing on RTHK's City Forum, saying many animal cruelty cases were hidden away behind closed doors.

Calls for a dedicated police team and a more comprehensive animal welfare legislation have gained momentum after a spate of suspected animal cruelty cases recently.

Two dead turtles were found dead on the platform of a Cheung Sha Wan building on Thursday – the same location where a dog fell to its death on Wednesday. The dog had been rescued from Victoria Harbour by the police and returned to its owner just a few days before its death.

Critics say animals in Hong Kong lack protection.