Law enforcement companies in Hong Kong have arrested 4 asylum seekers and an undocumented immigrant at a suspected unlicensed restaurant working out of a flat which allegedly served canine and cat meat.
Officers seized 35kg of suspected frozen canine and cat meat from the flat on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok as a part of a joint operation on Thursday carried out by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and police.
The 500 sq ft flat on the second ground of a tenement block features a kitchen, three rooms – two bedrooms and a separate room with two eating tables – in addition to a front room with a eating desk, based on a police supply.
Hong Kong authorities probe suspected sale of canine meat amid uproar over advert
Hong Kong authorities probe suspected sale of canine meat amid uproar over advert
Authorities launched the joint operation after receiving stories of people allegedly promoting canine and cat meat on the premises, a spokesman from the fisheries division stated.
Samples of the seized meat have been despatched for testing to find out whether it is from the animals.
A 16-year-old boy, together with a 27-year-old man and a 43-year-old lady, all non-refoulement claimants, have been arrested on fees associated to serving dishes on the web site.
The supply stated a 50-year-old non-refoulement claimant – Hong Kong’s de facto asylum seeker standing – had been serving delicacies ready with suspected canine and cat meat within the flat for six months. He was arrested on suspicion of working a restaurant with out a license.
The 4 have been detained on fees of animal cruelty and violating the circumstances of their keep beneath immigration legal guidelines.
A 33-year-old man, suspected of being on the flat to fulfill acquaintances, was discovered to have entered mainland China illegally based on authorities. He allegedly travelled to the mainland by hiding in a truck on Monday and subsequently took a ship to achieve Hong Kong, resulting in his arrest on fees of unlawful immigration.
Hong Kong store investigated over suspected sale of cat, canine meat for meals
Hong Kong store investigated over suspected sale of cat, canine meat for meals
The fisheries division spokesman stated the 50-year-old man may face prosecution for working an unlicensed restaurant in violation of the Food Business Regulation if sufficient proof was discovered.
Authorities found menus in Vietnamese indicating dishes containing meat from the animals.
Hong Kong doesn’t grant asylum because the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention doesn’t apply to the town. Instead, it gives non-refoulement, which ensures that asylum seekers is not going to be returned to a rustic the place they have been liable to persecution or torture.
Those who’re granted refugee standing can keep within the metropolis till they’re resettled to a 3rd nation. They should not allowed to work whereas their purposes are being assessed.
The slaughter and sale of canine and cat meat is against the law in Hong Kong, with offenders dealing with as much as six months in jail and a most wonderful of HK$5,000.
The spokesman stated prosecution could be pursued if testing confirmed that the seized meat originated from dogs or cats.
“The [department] will not tolerate having dog or cat flesh for consumption and will follow up seriously,” the spokesman stated.
It suggested members of the general public to report any suspected instances to the division by calling 1823.
Authorities in November final 12 months launched an investigation into a web based dealer after commercials exhibiting suspected canine meat have been discovered on-line.
In April final 12 months, the operator of a frozen meat store on Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Tei was jailed for 10 weeks for promoting feline meat with claims it was from Kaiping in Guangdong province. The 40-year-old was arrested after authorities found traces of cat meat amongst samples taken from the shop throughout a raid.
The business slaughter and sale of canine meat has been prohibited on the mainland since May 2020, with the coverage taking impact a month after Shenzhen and Zhuhai launched their very own citywide bans on the consumption of canine and cat meat.