The Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi has launched a direct investigation into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's work on animal management and protection of animal rights and welfare.

The probe was launched following a growing community concern in recent years about the rights and welfare of animals, particularly in the wake of cases of severe cruelty in recent months that left many animals dead, according to the Office of The Ombudsman.

“The general public is calling for tougher enforcement by the authorities and heavier penalties,” the office said in a statement.

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Although the SAR government has proposed to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance since 2019 to combat animal cruelty, it has not finalized the amendment proposals to date, nor has it set a specific timetable for introducing the bill into the Legislative Council, it said.

The office, in this connection, also referred to the uncovering of a number of illegal animal breeding farms and animal smuggling activities in recent years and media reports on the illegal importation, illegal breeding, and unlicensed trading of animals.

“These illegal activities not only pose threats to public hygiene and health but also cause substantial suffering to animals,” reads the statement.

The office meanwhile has also received complaints from time to time against the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for improper treatment of animals captured or seized, and failure to properly handle reports of animal cruelty or illegal breeding and unlicensed trading of animals, it added.

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With the advancement of society, the public attaches more importance to animal rights and welfare, while pet ownership is also increasingly common in Hong Kong, said Chan.

“Although the government has indicated that it will step up combating animal cruelty through legislative amendments, I aspire to conduct this direct investigation operation to comprehensively review the adequacy, effectiveness, and room for improvement of the government's work and measures for preventing and combating animal cruelty, protecting animal rights and welfare, and animal management,” he said.

The investigation will examine the AFCD's work regarding the prevention of animal abuse, handling of suspected cases of animal cruelty, measures to combat illegal breeding, smuggling, and unlicensed trading of animals, treatment of stray animals and re-homing arrangements, and public education and publicity to promote animal rights and welfare, said the ombudsman.

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“Where necessary, pertinent recommendations will be made for improvement,” he added.

The ombudsman also welcomed people’s views on this, which can be sent to the Office of The Ombudsman by Jan 24 via letter or email.