The Post has discovered that officers from the Tseung Kwan O specialised workforce, who’re skilled in combating animal cruelty, have been tasked with investigating the case.
A report from City University’s Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences stated the canine was in good well being earlier than it died.
Police launched an investigation after the centre posted a press release on-line saying the college report had prompt the canine died of suspected poisoning.
The charity stated that it was contemplating sending Funny’s tissue samples to a veterinary establishment within the US for toxicology testing.
Some web customers hit out on the organisation, speculating over claims of abuse and calling on others to signal a petition to abolish using information dogs in Hong Kong.
“Why are there still people supporting guide dogs, encouraging the lifelong enslavement of dogs, and only expressing sympathy after the guide dog’s death, saying that it’s served its purpose?” stated one resident on social media within the greater than 480 feedback on the charity’s Facebook web page. “It’s truly nauseating.”
Another animal-lover, Hermione Ko Hay-man, who spoke out on-line towards the incident, instructed the Post she used to volunteer with the organisation years in the past, however modified her thoughts after she witnessed a consumer bringing their information canine outside throughout a black rainstorm.
“I reflected and thought, should we stop this?” stated Ko, a social employee in her 40s. “Do they really like their job or are we exploiting them on the basis that they are a working breed?”
She stated she appreciated that information dogs helped visually impaired customers, however was unsure whether or not such help was price risking the animal’s welfare.
“Of course there is a special bond between humans and animals, but guide dogs are exposed to a lot more danger and it’s depriving them of being able to live a different way,” she stated.
Ellen Wong Ching-yan, the top of coaching at Seeing Eye Dog Services, emphasised that the animals’ lives didn’t revolve completely round work.
“Guide dogs lead regular lives, and their users have to walk them a few times a day,” she stated. “Taking them on walks and going to dog parks also allow the users to socialise,” she stated.
Guide dogs change lives of Hong Kong sight-impaired, but still barred from some places
Guide dogs change lives of Hong Kong sight-impaired, but still barred from some places
Other than serving to the visually impaired go about their lives, information dogs additionally offered companionship, with many customers and their animals growing particular bonds, she stated.
Users had been chosen in accordance with their household state of affairs, residing situations and whether or not they had been able to maintain the animal in the long run, Wong stated.
“We also make contact with the families and users once every two-to-three months to see how they are adapting to the guide dog,” she stated.
According to the charity’s web site, Funny was born in August 2018 and bred by the centre.
A photograph of the canine mendacity immobile subsequent to its consumer earlier than it collapsed circulated on social media final month, with witnesses claiming it had been respiratory very quickly and vomiting water.
Is Hong Kong pet-friendly? Owners welcome new dog parks but want more
Is Hong Kong pet-friendly? Owners welcome new dog parks but want more
Seeing Eye Dog Services later issued a press release confirming the canine had died after makes an attempt to resuscitate it failed, and prolonged its condolences to Joe, the animal’s visually impaired consumer.
Guide dogs had been solely allowed within the metropolis as not too long ago as 2012, returning after a thirty-year hole following an preliminary try and introduce them led to tragedy in 1976 when one was hit by a minivan and killed.
There are about 50 information dogs in use, and the charity estimates that not less than 1,900 are wanted, given town has 190,000 visually impaired residents.
Golden retrievers, Labradors and German shepherds are the preferred breeds chosen to develop into information dogs due to their potential to be taught and temperament.
Additional reporting by Clifford Lo
