Animal cruelty in Hong Kong : caring for stray animals in our city

Abstract

The welfare of stray animals, especially in the Hong Kong context, is rarely discussed. This study aims to create awareness among the public on stray animal cruelty in Hong Kong and urge the Government to improve stray animal welfare by addressing the dated animal welfare legislation. By understanding public perceptions of stray animal cruelty, this study investigates the moral status of stray animals as victims using the notions of “Ideal Victim” (Christie, 1986), “Human-Animal Hierarchy”, and “Sociozoological Scale” (Arluke & Sanders, 1996) as chosen theoretical frameworks. This research also evaluates the existing animal welfare legislation in a classical criminological approach. A mixed research method was adopted in addressing the research problems. A total of 142 respondents participated in an online survey aimed at investigating their attitudes to stray animals promoted through social media with snowball sampling, and five interviewees, including animal advocates from local animal welfare organisations and a district councillor, were recruited for in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results show stray animals are perceived as nuisances by the community, even though they pose minimal impacts to most people. Participants in the study found relevant legislation dated and have insufficient deterrence. It is concluded that stray animals as victims are granted the moral status of children and young persons. However, they are considered as “bad animals” on the sociozoological scale and have a low status in general, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the public’s prejudice against them. Penalties in legislation are also ineffective in preventing stray animal cruelty and amendments are necessary.