Woman Fined HK$4,000 After Unleashed Golden Retriever Attacks Pomeranian and Owner in Wan Chai
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Chong Oi-lam, 44, was ordered to pay HK$4,000 in total after pleading guilty to three summary offences at Eastern Court. The court heard that on January 20, she had taken her golden retriever to the pet garden at Wan Chai Temporary Promenade without keeping it on a leash. When the retriever pounced on a Pomeranian, its owner lifted the smaller dog to protect it, but the retriever jumped up and bit her left arm. After the attack, Chong intervened to control her dog but fled the scene upon learning police had been called.
Key Points
- The incident occurred at the pet garden in Wan Chai Temporary Promenade on January 20, when Chong failed to leash her golden retriever
- The unleashed golden retriever attacked a Pomeranian, and when the owner picked up her dog, the retriever bit the woman's left arm
- Chong left the scene after being warned that police were on their way, and was charged with three summary offences
- She expressed regret in court, saying she had not realized the pet garden was a public space where dogs must be restrained
- Deputy Magistrate Erica Chong Ching-wai warned dog owners to be more vigilant following recent fatal and serious incidents involving dogs
Why It Matters
The case comes amid heightened concerns about dangerous dogs in Hong Kong. Just days earlier, a 33-year-old pet training facility operator in northern Hong Kong was killed by a mixed-breed dog with suspected pit bull ancestry, and an unleashed 60kg dog mauled two smaller dogs to death in Yuen Long. The court's message that dog owners must take responsibility for their pets' behaviour reflects growing public anxiety over irresponsible pet ownership in the city .
The case comes amid heightened concerns about dangerous dogs in Hong Kong. Just days earlier, a 33-year-old pet training facility operator in northern Hong Kong was killed by a mixed-breed dog with suspected pit bull ancestry, and an unleashed 60kg dog mauled two smaller dogs to death in Yuen Long. The court's message that dog owners must take responsibility for their pets' behaviour reflects growing public anxiety over irresponsible pet ownership in the city .