Companion animal cruelty in Hong Kong : analysis of current legislation, enforcement and societal perception

Abstract

This study presents the results of a yearlong investigation into companion animal cruelty in Hong Kong, specifically analysing cruelty towards dogs and cats. Research into this issue has been severely lacking in Hong Kong, and the intention of this study was to evaluate the matters of companion animals and cruelty towards them, the perception held by Hong Kong people towards companion animal cruelty and the effectiveness of current legislation in place to deter offensive acts. In order to assess these concerns, data was collected in two ways - an online anonymous survey and an in-person interview. In total, 335 people participated in the online anonymous survey and 9 completed the in-person interview. The participants represented a diverse sample of the Hong Kong population, consisting of those from a variety of backgrounds, living locales, educational levels, and mindsets. However, these factors proved insignificant in the overall results, with most participants leaning towards the same conclusions. The status of companion animals was highly regarded and found to be on par with that of family members, yet there was no general consensus on the definition of animal cruelty and whether animals in Hong Kong were respected. With a share belief among participants that animal cruelty cases seem to have been on the rise over the past 10 years, it was agreed upon that current legislation is not sufficient in preventing acts of animal cruelty. Indeed, participants demonstrated a marked disappointment towards how the existing system handles current animal cruelty cases. Whilst overall findings are indicative of an agreement between participants on treatment of animals and a need for more updated and stringent legislation, further research needs to be conducted, including more interviews and responses from a broader sample of participants, and with more targeted legislation questions.