Dog rescuers vow to microchip after charges, decry punishing ‘those trying to help’

Hong Kong animal welfare activists say they will forge ahead with microchipping stray dogs despite the heightened legal risk after authorities charged an advocate who engaged in the practice during an investigation into the death of a cyclist.

The advocates argued that charging dog rescuers was counterproductive and renewed their calls to implement a comprehensive “trap, neuter, release” programme, while the government said allegations it engaged in “convenience culling” were untrue.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also said that sterilisation alone was not enough to eliminate the public safety risk posed by unowned and uncontrolled dogs.

The department late on Thursday announced it had concluded a joint dog capture operation in Yuen Long following the suspected fatal mauling of a 27-year-old cyclist.