Man sentenced for selling dog without one-off permit
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A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that AFCD staff had received a complaint about suspected illegal trading of dogs on the Internet in March 2017. An AFCD officer, posing as a customer, contacted that trader, and met the 36-year-old man in Hung Hom district on March 24. The man was carrying a 4.5-month-old dog in a bag, and was holding an adult dog on a leash. After the staff member bought the juvenile dog for $2,800, he revealed his identity and summonsed the man.
Subsequent to follow-up investigations by the AFCD, it was found that the man was the registered keeper of the adult dog, and the license of that dog had expired since last year. The AFCD charged the man for selling a dog without a one-off permit and keeping a dog aged over 5 months without a license. The man was convicted today and fined $5,000 and $800 respectively.
The amended Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Trading and Breeding) Regulations (Cap 139B) came into force on March 20. Any person who sells a dog must obtain a suitable type of licence or permit. There are three types of licence and one type of permit, namely the Animal Trader Licence and Dog Breeder Licence Category A and Category B, and a one-off permit for dog owners. Those who sell animals or birds without a proper licence or permit will be liable to a maximum fine of $100,000, whereas the maximum penalty for contravention of a condition attached to a licence or permit will be a fine of $50,000.
Under the Rabies Ordinance , all dogs aged over 5 months must be vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000.
The spokesperson reminded the public that since the new Regulations came into force, all animal traders and dog breeders and those who sell their own dogs should obtain a suitable type of licence or permit, and follow the licence conditions and codes of practice to ensure the welfare of animals. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution. For more details of the new regulations and the application procedure for a licence, permit or exemption, please visit www.pets.gov.hk or call 1823.
Ends/Thursday, August 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:50
Issued at HKT 19:50
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