The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year, according to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
The AFCD said this in a statement after the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday released the report of a direct investigation operation on the SAR government's work in combating cruelty to animals, with 45 improvement recommendations for the government.
The Ombudsman decided to conduct the direct investigation after cases of animal cruelty emerged from time to time in Hong Kong in recent years. Some cases were bloody and brutal, where helpless creatures endured extreme cruelty, with some found dead as a result of the abuse.
“Many recent cases of animal cruelty are horrifying, leaving the public shocked and heartbroken. Atrocities of this kind amount to a deliberate trampling on the dignity of life and run wholly contrary to the very conscience of a civilized society. They must be condemned by our community,” the Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said in a statement.
This investigation primarily focused on examining the effectiveness of the AFCD in combating animal cruelty, including its protective measures and enforcement against suspected cruelty, publicity and promotional efforts, and in particular, regulation of animal traps.
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Besides thoroughly examining AFCD procedures for following up on animal cruelty and abuse reports, covering relevant laws and policy documents, operational guidelines, specific cases and data, the Office also conducted site inspections at the AFCD’s animal management centers and at locations where animal cruelty had occurred, and randomly selected 200 case files for studying.
The investigation found that the AFCD’s investigation has been ineffective.
“We consider that where AFCD staff cease follow-up actions without ascertaining the actual condition of the animals, it calls into question whether the Department has handled reports seriously and properly. The investigative approach is ineffective against offenders intending to conceal evidence, and it directly undermines the effectiveness in pursuing prosecutions,” said Chan.
The Ombudsman recommended that the government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance in stages.
Confirming that it accepts the office's recommendations, the AFCD said it will actively follow up on them.
To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training, it said.
To strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management, the AFCD will take reference from the report's recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines.
Additionally, it will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.
The AFCD also said it will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness and review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner.
It will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Customs and Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances to curb their illegal importation.
