An Empirical Study of the Nature of Animal Abuse Cases in Hong Kong from 2013-2019

Professor Whitfort, Amanda Sarah   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Dr Woodhouse Fiona Margaret   (Co-Investigator)

12

2020-09-01

401756

An Empirical Study of the Nature of Animal Abuse Cases in Hong Kong from 2013-2019

Animal, Cruelty, Law Reform, Offending, Sentencing Practices

Law

Humanities & Social Sciences (H)

2020.A8.092.20B

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

2020

Completed

1.To identify and analyze the circumstances in which different kinds of animal cruelty offences have occurred in Hong Kong from 2013-2019; 2. To determine any trends in offending and need for specific legislative reforms to combat offending; 3. To determine the need for pre and post-conviction forfeiture and costs orders to combat animal offending; 4. To assess the impact of the Animal Watch Scheme on access to justice in animal cruelty investigations; 5. To investigate sentencing trends for animal cruelty cases from 2013-2019; 6. To assess the need for shelter licensing legislation to prevent hoarding and protect animal welfare; 7. To utilize each of the above findings to inform government of the amendments necessary to effectively reform to Cap 169, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance. 8. To increase public understanding of the circumstances in which animals are more likely to be at risk of cruelty/neglect and stimulate informed debate within society about how best to minimize that risk.