The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Tuesday that it will be starting prosecution versus a Yau Ma Tei shop after validating cat’s DNA in the meat samples took there.
“The AFCD is now conducting multiple investigations in accordance with Cap 167A Dogs and Cats Ordinance and is searching for necessary evidence in order to initiate prosecutions against relevant parties,” a declaration checked out.
This came following a joint operation by the AFCD and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) last Thursday as the shop apparently provided meat of cats and dogs for sale.
The declaration continued that the FEHD will likewise be charging the shop’s operator with keeping chill or frozen meat for sale without approval under post 30 of Cap 132X Food Business Regulation.
A representative for the AFCD advised the general public that selling, consuming and having the meat of dogs and cats is an offense. The optimum charge upon conviction brings a HK$5,000 fine and six-month jail time.
The case entered into spotlight as regional media reports revealed that the shop on Reclamation Street had actually been smuggling meat from Kaiping and the meat purchased there were later on validated to be that of dogs and cats through personal lab screening.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan earlier said the FEHD is primarily accountable for examining the sale of meat however worried that the AFCD will step up police to fight such unlawful activities, consisting of keeping track of online meat sale and exchanging intelligence with other federal government departments.
Under Cap.167A Dogs and Cats Regulations, no individual will massacre any dog or cat for usage as food whether for humanity or otherwise, and no individual will offer or utilize or allow the sale or usage of the flesh of dogs and cats for food.
Citizens are motivated to submit a report by calling at 1823 if they experience suspicious breaches.
Also read: Yau Ma Tei shop stays shuttered in the middle of allegations of offering dog and cat meat
