(CN - HKG) City divides over stray dog scheme, SPCA plan shows way out of stray-dog killing cycle

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South China Morning Post

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by Niall Fraser

Sep 02, 2007

 

Controlled colonies of desexed stray dogs could spread across Hong Kong

under a controversial plan to cut the number of animals being destroyed.

 

The move follows a similar scheme set up for cats in 2000, but is proving

divisive, with district councils split on whether to back the plan.

 

The Community Dog Programme has been discussed by the Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the 18 district councils - eight

of which backed the move while seven rejected it amid fears of dangerous

dogs and disturbance.

 

Between 2001 and June this year more than 100,000 dogs and cats were

destroyed by the authorities.

 

SPCA officials say the plan is based on a " catch, neuter and release "

principle. They have studied similar programmes in India and Japan, as well

as the city's Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP).

 

The SPCA's Rebecca Ngan Yee-ling said the dog programme had met with

significant resistance.

 

" It is more difficult to get a green light from the Agriculture, Fisheries

and Conservation Department on dog colonies, " she said. " We suggest

implementing it based on the same philosophy as [the CCCP's]

catch-neuter-release scheme. "

 

Under the proposed programme, teams of volunteers registered with the SPCA

would be responsible for looking after a " natural but not fenced off " area

set aside for stray dogs which have been desexed, vaccinated for rabies and

microchipped. They would provide food and try to keep the dogs from causing

a nuisance.

 

The SPCA hoped to start a trial scheme by January next year. It has not been

revealed which councils agreed to host a trial.

 

Many councils fear marauding packs in their neighbourhoods and increased dog

mess.

 

But Ms Ngan rejected the concerns. " By desexing and releasing them, the

threat of dog bites and other behavioural problems will decrease, " she said.

" Desexed dogs are likely to have a better temperament. "

 

A government spokesman said: " The catch-neuter-release programme proposed by

the SPCA is undergoing consultation at the various district councils. An

exemption for the SPCA is required to dissolve its responsibility as keeper

of the dogs under the scheme. "

 

Ms Ngan said the exemption would allow the SPCA to desex, vaccinate against

rabies and microchip and release them without the need to register an owner.

Such an exemption has been granted for the CCCP.

 

 

 

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EDITORIAL

Sep 02, 2007

 

Hong Kong has never been kind to stray dogs. Many began life as guard dogs

on construction sites, only to be abandoned after buildings were completed

and left to live off the street. With animal-protection groups denouncing

the practice and the property market slowing since the start of this decade,

government dog catchers began rounding them up.

The vast majority are destroyed because they have virtually no chance of

finding a home. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has a

policy that such dogs should be adopted, but it has been applied

haphazardly. On average, more than 11,000 dogs have been killed each year

since 2001. But as we report today, a new campaign by the Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals aims to put an end to this vicious cycle of

abandonment and killing by desexing stray dogs and then releasing them to

designated colonies to be cared for by volunteers. The proposal is modelled

on a successful programme for stray cats.

 

The SPCA should be applauded and assisted in its new campaign, but only when

legitimate concerns raised by some district councils have been addressed.

 

Under the proposed scheme, SPCA volunteers would manage open land set aside

for stray dogs, which would be desexed, vaccinated for rabies and

microchipped. They would feed them and stop them causing a nuisance. Of the

18 district councils the society has approached, eight have agreed to the

proposal but seven have rejected it. The rest have not taken a stand. The

society did not disclose which ones were supportive and which ones were

critical. However, it is clear that some districts with more open space

would find it easier to accommodate the SPCA than those with concentrated

populations in urban areas.

 

It is not necessary to have such dog colonies all across Hong Kong; it may

not even be desirable. As the department will need to grant exemptions to

release stray dogs under the proposed SPCA programme, both parties and the

councils should be flexible about implementing the programme.