Backlash grows after Hong Kong authorities seize second ‘fighting dog’ in week

Hong Kong authorities are facing a growing backlash after seizing a “fighting dog” from its owner following a neighbour’s complaint and detaining it for behavioural evaluation.

It was the second dog with pit bull lineage that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department had seized in a week. The department’s actions came amid heightened public concern over canine management, following a series of recent attacks, including one in which a woman was mauled and later found dead, and another that killed two small pet dogs.

The department also stepped up inspections and enforcement action across the city, prosecuting three owners on Sunday for failing to keep large dogs on a leash.

Many social media users said on Sunday that they had written to the department to complain about its seizure of unlicensed fighting dogs that did not have a history of attacks.

Baku, an eight-year-old dog licensed as a mongrel under the government’s registration system, was taken from its home on Friday night after a complaint from a neighbour.

His owner, Mr Lai, told the South China Morning Post that his whole family had been worried over the past few days that Baku might not pass the department’s assessments while nervous. He added that the officers did not explain the exact tests and assessments Baku needed to undergo.