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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (May 4):
Question:
I understand that dog keeping has become an important part of living for quite a number of members of the public. Yet, the number of dog parks in Hong Kong remains limited, causing much inconvenience to those members of the public who walk their dogs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective areas of the dog parks in each District Council district at present (set out in a table); and
(b) whether it will consider amending the relevant planning guidelines to require the construction of a dog park or the opening up of an existing park to provide a dog park, once the population in a community has reached a certain size; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In the 2010-11 Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive last year, it was mentioned that to cater for the needs of dog owners, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) planned to make available more venues which allow them to bring in their dogs. Also, the Department would identify suitable sites for building new pet gardens.
LCSD plans to make available more suitable venues to allow members of the public to bring in their dogs. At present, LCSD provides pet gardens at 23 leisure venues/sites. A list of the relevant leisure venues/sites by district and the respective areas of the pet gardens are set out at Annex. LCSD will continue to identify suitable venues in existing or planned parks for the provision of additional pet gardens. It will also liaise with the Lands Department to identify suitable vacant government lands for providing more pet gardens.
Given the diverse views held by members of the public on whether pets should be allowed in LCSD venues (some people are concerned that dogs may cause nuisance to users of LCSD venues, especially to the elderly and children), it is not suitable to introduce a mandatory requirement for the provision of dog parks at the moment. In considering the provision of pet gardens, LCSD will continue to strike a balance between the needs of pet owners and those of other venue users, and will take into careful account issues relating to environmental hygiene, public health, facility management, etc. LCSD will consult the concerned District Councils and local communities before implementation of the proposal.
Ends/Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:29
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