HK) Simple solution can put a stop to the killing of innocent animals

September 1, 2008

South China Morning Post (2008.08.23)

Simple solution can put a stop to the killing of innocent animals

Last year our government killed about 16,500 dogs and cats. Men hired by

the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) trapped

these innocent animals and carted them to animal management centres

where they were caged in distress for some days before being given

lethal injections by department vets who hate their work.

This year so far, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Animals (SPCA) about 10,500 dogs and about 5,500 cats have been

killed in this way.

The bureau headed by Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok

decides the department's policies. It is clear Dr Chow is one of our

most able ministers, but he appears to be too busy to focus on the

suffering of animals.

The answer to the problem of unwanted companion animals is not killing

but preventing the surplus. In many countries controls on importing,

breeding and selling animals have stopped surpluses developing. It is

within the power of Dr Chow's bureau and the AFCD to make changes so the

endless rounds of killing can stop.

The millions of dollars of taxpayers' money spent on the slaughter could

be better used subsidising trap, neuter and release programmes. The SPCA

does this already with its Cat Colony Care Programme, but has not been

able to convince the government to allow such schemes for feral dogs.

Representatives of animal welfare groups - the SPCA, Animals Asia

Foundation, Society for Abandoned Animals and others - have met with all

political parties in Legco.

They found unanimous support for measures to reduce the surplus of

companion animals and stop the AFCD's killing. These campaigners have

found majority support for their views in the district councils.

Rabies across the border is a concern, but killing creatures far from

Guangdong is wrong; strict import control and smuggling prevention are

the answers.

Civilised societies are judged by the way they treat the most

vulnerable. Background and contacts can be found at

Jethro Roger Medcalf, Sai Kung

reserved.

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