Large Dog Larry Faces Euthanasia After Killing Two Small Dogs in Yuen Long Mall Attack
AM730 · 4 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
A tragic dog-attack incident at YOHO MALL in Yuen Long has led to animal cruelty charges against a 52-year-old dog owner, with authorities considering whether his large mastiff should be humanely destroyed. The five-year-old mixed Spanish Mastiff, weighing between 50 and 60 kilograms, killed two small dogs on August 17, 2024, at the mall's outdoor plaza. The dog's owner, Ng Shui-ting, was charged with two counts of allowing a large dog to remain in a public place without proper restraint under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation. The case highlights gaps in Hong Kong's pet ownership laws and the challenges facing animal welfare in the city.
Key Points
- The incident occurred on August 17, 2024, at approximately 3pm at the outdoor plaza of YOHO MALL Phase 3 in Yuen Long, where Larry attacked two small dogs belonging to different owners .
- Ng Shui-ting appeared at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on August 20, facing two charges of permitting a large dog to be in a public place without being securely leashed, and was granted 3,000 HKD bail with conditions including surrender of travel documents .
- The AFCD revealed that Larry had previously bitten a corgi in July 2024, after which Ng was warned to keep the dog on a leash no longer than two meters, yet the August attack still occurred .
- According to MOBO Rescue founder Kent Lok, Ng was asked to surrender Larry at a police station and signed an abandonment agreement, believing the dog would be "handled" by authorities without realizing this could mean euthanasia .
- Lawmaker Kong Yuk-fun commented that if authorities only used the vague term "handle" without explicitly explaining euthanasia was a possibility, or if the owner signed under pressure, the surrender could potentially be challenged in court .
Why It Matters
This case exposes significant loopholes in Hong Kong's animal management regulations, where there is currently no specific criminal offense for dogs attacking other animals, forcing authorities to cobble together charges from different ordinances . Beyond the immediate tragedy, legal experts and animal welfare advocates are calling for comprehensive reform of pet ownership laws, noting that current maximum penalties of 10,000 to 25,000 HKD and three months imprisonment lack sufficient deterrent effect compared to jurisdictions like Australia where dangerous dog attacks carry fines up to 280,000 HKD and four-year prison terms . The outcome for Larry himself—euthanasia, adoption, or behavioral rehabilitation—will set an important precedent for how Hong Kong handles potentially dangerous but salvageable animals.
This case exposes significant loopholes in Hong Kong's animal management regulations, where there is currently no specific criminal offense for dogs attacking other animals, forcing authorities to cobble together charges from different ordinances . Beyond the immediate tragedy, legal experts and animal welfare advocates are calling for comprehensive reform of pet ownership laws, noting that current maximum penalties of 10,000 to 25,000 HKD and three months imprisonment lack sufficient deterrent effect compared to jurisdictions like Australia where dangerous dog attacks carry fines up to 280,000 HKD and four-year prison terms . The outcome for Larry himself—euthanasia, adoption, or behavioral rehabilitation—will set an important precedent for how Hong Kong handles potentially dangerous but salvageable animals.