Hi All Animal Guardians and Protectors,

This is the latest on AFCD response.

A 2nd email on March 14 was sent to the AFCD officer to chase for their response.  Below is their response from the AFCD officer.

Quite frankly, their response is somewhat expected and scripted with official answer to close the case without really addressing the issues raised.

Actual email reply content from AFCD below.

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From: iccamck@afcd.gov.hk <iccamck@afcd.gov.hk>
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2019 7:11 AM
To: David Wong
Cc: dafcoffice@afcd.gov.hk
Subject: RE: RE: Follow up on the Use of Cruel and Inhumane Trap by AFCD to Capture a Non-hostile Stray Dog

Our file reference：K476/2/2019

Dear David Wong, 

        Thank you for your email. 

Please be acknowledged the receipt of your petition with your signed supporters. This Department understands and shares your concern.  We would like to take this opportunity to clarify the misunderstanding on this dog-catching tool that you saw in the video. 

First, the tool in concern was indeed a snare, which was very different from a claw leg clamp. This type of snare does not have any sharp accessories in contact with the dog. The snare itself would not cause injury to the dogs.  Its use has been evaluated by the Animal Welfare Advisory Group, and it has also been demonstrated to and even tried by some members of the Legislative Council who were concerned about animal welfare.   

In general, our staff will deploy suitable dog-catching tools for different situations, taking into consideration many factors.  Nevertheless, safety of the dogs and our staff is one of the far most important considerations.  Although the snare itself would not cause injury to the dogs, it is the natural instinct for the dog to struggle and try to escape. Our staff will transfer the dog into a suitable cage as soon as possible to minimize the possibility of any injuries.  In this regard, as the snare is a safe tool, this Department will continue to adopt this method in suitable circumstances.  However, our frontline staffs are always reminded of the prudent use of the snare and will observe animal welfare during the operation.   

We understand that you are very concerned about the condition of the dog in the video.  In fact, the dog has already been reunited with its owner the day after.  Its subsequent veterinary examination has confirmed that the dog was in a good health condition. 

Thank you very much again for your concern and effort in raising public awareness in animal welfare.  We hope the points explained above can ease your concern.  Should you have any other questions, please feel free to email us at iccamck@afcd.gov.hk. 

Regards, 
Kwok Hok Yau 
Field Officer II 
For the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

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The first email sent to the Director of AFCD on Feb 27 was posted in update #2. Below is actual content of 2nd follow-up email from me on March 14 to chase for AFCD response.  AFCD response was received on the same day as indicated above.

From: David Wong
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2019 2:35 AM
To: iccamck@afcd.gov.hk; dafcoffice@afcd.gov.hk
Cc: David Wong
Subject: Re: Follow up on the Use of Cruel and Inhumane Trap by AFCD to Capture a Non-hostile Stray Dog 

Dear Tom Kwok,

It's been well over 2 weeks since your acknowledgement of my email and some 6,7000 signed supporters of this petition later, still no reply from you or other AFCD officials.  I surely along with some other 6,500 supporters and more by the minute are still waiting for answers we deserve to know.  We do not expect our voices to fall on deaf ears and want the Director to address the concerns raised in the petition and in the follow up email dated Feb 27.

In light of another controversial and the most recent incident that involved the unnecessary killing of a lost dog that mistakenly got on a ship from Thailand to Hong Kong, people of both communities are outraged and appalled that AFCD is treating animal life without any regard whatsoever like some kind of waste.  This dog had a life with flesh and blood and karma shall come back to the people who made this kind of irresponsible decision in the name of the safety of the community.

This is becoming a real concern for all with the growing number of incidents poorly managed by AFCD in handling the well-being and safety of animals.  It's very disappointing to see repeatedly AFCD fails to perform the duty in a responsible and professional manner with sub-standard policy.  The Director of AFCD should order to immediately stop all these disturbing and horrifying practices and address the public swiftly and promptly corrective actions are now in place to ensure the welfare of the animals handled by AFCD.

Regards,
David Wong
David Email

P.S.
Latest update to the nearly 7,000 petition supporters - Some 3 Weeks and 6,500 Supporters Later...Still Waiting!!!
http://bit.ly/2EZFtGh