The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (October 8) that a new phase of special operations will be launched. In the coming four months, priority will be given to high-risk locations where dog attacks on passers-by and congregations of stray dogs have occurred, to strengthen the capturing of unattended dogs. Depending on the situation, the AFCD will continue the operations to safeguard public safety.

     A spokesman for the AFCD said, "In a high-density urban environment, unowned and uncontrolled dogs may pose risks to public safety. Once dogs are allowed to roam unattended in public places, they may cause harm to members of the public or other animals. Dogs that have not been vaccinated against rabies also pose a threat to public health and animal health. To this end, the AFCD adopts a risk-based strategy and will prioritise conducting special operations to capture unattended dogs at high-risk locations. The AFCD will also work closely with the Police to conduct joint special enforcement operations when necessary, requiring dog keepers to fulfil their responsibilities properly to safeguard community safety."

     The spokesman added that after capturing the dogs, the AFCD will check whether the dogs have been microchipped and hold a valid dog licence, and will contact the keepers based on the registration information and verify lost-and-found records. If there is sufficient evidence, the keepers will be prosecuted. If the keepers cannot be traced, staff and veterinary officers at the Animal Management Centres of the AFCD will patiently observe the dogs. Those that are confirmed to be in good health and of a gentle temperament will be transferred to the AFCD's partner animal welfare organisations for sterilisation and arrangement for adoption by the public. The spokesman emphasised that the AFCD will not release dogs without keepers back into the community to avoid posing public safety risks.

     Under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), all dogs over five months old must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and licensed. Dogs must thereafter be re-vaccinated and have their licences renewed at intervals of not more than three years. In addition, dogs in a public place must be held on a leash or otherwise kept under effective control. Dogs must not be left unattended in public places, nor abandoned. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 for each offence, and a keeper who abandons a dog is liable to imprisonment for six months.

     Members of the public who wish to learn more about the proper control of dogs and the responsibilities of keepers may visit the AFCD website (www.pets.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:05

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