Five Dogs Found Dead in Mai Po Poisoning Probe
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police are investigating a suspected animal cruelty case after five dogs were found dead near fish ponds in the Hop Shing Wai area of Mai Po on October 18. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said inspectors found four mixed-breed dogs beside construction waste and another floating in a nearby fish pond, with suspected vomit also discovered on the ground nearby. The sample has been taken for laboratory testing, and all five bodies will be sent for toxicology examination after temporary storage at the SPCA's Tsing Yi centre. One of the dogs was fitted with a microchip, but the cause of death has not yet been confirmed
Key Points
- The case was reported at 11:35am on October 18, when police were notified of dogs found collapsed near building debris by fish ponds in Hop Shing Wai, Mai Po
- SPCA inspectors found four dead mongrel dogs beside construction waste, and officers later located a fifth dog floating in a nearby fish pond.
- Suspected vomit was found on the ground beside the pond, and police collected samples for further laboratory examination.
- Police classified the incident as a suspected animal cruelty case and authorised SPCA inspectors to transport the bodies to its Tsing Yi centre.
- According to HK01, the five dogs were understood to belong to a 74-year-old fish pond worker surnamed Lee, and one dog had a microchip implanted
Why It Matters
The case has raised concern because workers nearby told HK01 that around 100 to 200 stray dogs roam the area and that dog poisoning was said to happen from time to time there. It also points to the seriousness of animal cruelty investigations in Hong Kong, where offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance can carry a maximum fine of HK$200,000 and three years' imprisonment