LCQ20: Traffic incidents involving animals
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Question:
It has been reported that there have been a number of traffic accidents involving animals being hit in recent months. In particular, incidents involving cattle being hit by vehicles occurred successively in Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan within a single week, arousing public concern about the issues of animal safety and road safety. Under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), the driver of a vehicle shall stop if an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby damage is caused to specified animals (i.e. horse, cow, donkey, mule, sheep, pig, goat, cat and dog) not in the vehicle. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of traffic accidents involving vehicles hitting animals in each of the past five years, and among them, the number of such accidents involving animals specified under the Ordinance, with a breakdown by the 18 districts across the territory;
(2) of the number of animals being hit in the traffic accidents mentioned in (1) that (i) died at the scene, (ii) were humanely dispatched and (iii) received treatment, with a breakdown by animal type;
(3) given that in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on May 28, 2025, the Government indicated that the authorities would closely monitor the implementation of the Ordinance and timely review whether to include more wild animals as specified animals under the Ordinance, of the current progress of the review; whether more animals will be included as specified animals under the Ordinance to ensure that these animals are provided with the necessary protection; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(4) whether the Government will implement road improvement measures, such as installing railings and signs, on road sections where accidents involving animals being hit by vehicles frequently occur, so as to prevent animals from straying onto the road and being hit by vehicles, as well as to remind drivers to exercise caution on those sections; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), the driver of a vehicle shall stop if they hit a specified animal, with the intent of allowing injured animals to receive medical assistance, and facilitating animal owners to seek compensation from the drivers concerned. Drivers are required to provide personal particulars, including name and address, to any police officer or any person having reasonable grounds for requiring the information. If the drivers are not able to provide the information for any reason, they are required to report the accident to the Police as soon as possible and in any case no later than 24 hours after the accident.
Having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the reply to the question from the Hon Kenneth Lau is as follows:
(1) The number of traffic accident reports involving animals received by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) between 2021 and 2025 is tabulated as follows:
| Year | Number of traffic accidents reports involving animals (those involving specified animals) |
| 2021 | 36 (35) |
| 2022 | 155 (144) |
| 2023 | 369 (319) |
| 2024 | 372 (314) |
| 2025 | 416 (346) |
The HKPF does not maintain breakdown of statistics by 18 districts.
(2) In general, upon receipt of reports of dogs and cats injured in traffic accidents, the Police will first contact the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The SPCA will inspect the animals at the scene and send the injured dogs and cats without keepers at the scene to the SPCA's clinics for further treatment. If the dog has been implanted with a microchip, the SPCA will inform the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), so that the department can contact the dog owner. As regards other animals, the Police will contact the AFCD to provide rescue services at the scene. The AFCD will send the injured animal to its Animal Management Centres for further examination and observation as necessary.
As regards deceased animals due to traffic accident, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will arrange for contractors to collect animal carcasses at the scene upon receipt of referrals from departments or reports from the public, and deliver them to the facilities of the Environmental Protection Department for handling.
The HKPF, AFCD and FEHD do not maintain the breakdown of figures requested at the question.
(3) The Government has been closely monitoring the implementation of the Ordinance, and data shows that the majority of animals involved in traffic accidents are animals specified in the Ordinance. Even where the injured animal is not specified in the Ordinance, the AFCD will assist with rescue as needed upon receipt of report. At this stage, the Government has no plans to add further types of specified animals, and will timely review the operation of the Ordinance, striving to strike an appropriate balance between safeguarding animals and the safety of road users.
(4) The Government attaches great importance to road safety. Currently, the Road Users' Code issued under the Ordinance clearly reminds drivers that when animals are sighted on the road or roadside ahead, they should drive slowly, allow sufficient space for the animals to move, and be prepared to stop if necessary. In addition, the Transport Department (TD) will proactively consider installing warning signs at road sections frequented by animals to enhance drivers' awareness. The TD will continue to closely monitor the road situations and provide appropriate measures according to actual needs.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30
Issued at HKT 11:30
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