(HK) Animal rights groups back breeding curbs

[Guest guest]

Animal rights groups back breeding curbs

Nickkita Lau

The Standard

Thursday, September 27, 2007

 

Animal rights advocates yesterday gave full support to

the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation

Department's move to restrict pet shops from selling

dogs from unlicensed breeders who may have mistreated

the animals.

 

The department is planning to include the additional

licensing condition in its animal trading law later

this month to target illegal trafficking in dogs.

 

Under the amendment, only licensed breeders and

importers are considered legal sources.

 

Advocates said shops often receive sick pets from

unlicensed breeders and mainland smugglers.

 

They also pointed to the danger of buyers getting

dubious documents and certificates.

 

They said the current situation allows unlicensed

breeders to abuse animals in their facilities by

putting them in cages and forcing them to breed. No

medical treatment is given when they are sick, and

they are caged until they breed. The breeders often

abandon those too sick or too old to reproduce.

 

Chu Po-shan of Bag Me Home rescues cats abandoned by

inexperienced breeders, and claims they are left in a

terrible condition.

 

Vicky Siu Yuk-lin, the eighth owner of six-year-old

golden retriever Oscar, said private owners should not

breed their own dogs for fun.

 

The dog's mother had been allowed to have several

litters, and could have passed on a hereditary disease

to its offspring.

 

" I understand some dog owners might want their pets to

continue the family line, " Siu said.

 

" But they should only consider breeding if they are

sure the puppies will find trustworthy owners. Don't

just do it because someone said your dogs look cute. "

 

The advocates suggested a six- to nine-month grace

period for unlicensed breeders to sell their pets to

shops, fearing that if unlicensed trading is banned

immediately, there may be a sudden increase in

abandoned pets. Some pet shop owners said the new law

may push up prices for puppies.

 

Animal rights groups recommend that people adopt

animals from animal shelters instead of buying from

shops, as the animals available for adoption are all

certified healthy.

 

If they decide to buy from a pet shop, they should pay

a deposit only and have a vet conduct a health check,

before finalizing the deal.

 

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4 & art_id=54115 & sid=15556643\

& con_type=1 & d_str=20070927