Public perceptions and attitudes on "The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance" and stray animals in their neighbourhood in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research study aimed to present the public perception on the Hong Kong Law of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Cap.169 specifically towards stray animals. The definition of stray animals is vary among the public and the definition of stray animals in law is indefinite. Media often have a negative attitude towards strays which included both dogs and cats or even cows in the rural parts of Hong Kong. They often render that strays are born and raised in the wild with untampered behaviors so they should not be living close to any residential area. Stray animals also have a reputation of bringing poor hygiene to a community and they might be a threat to their pets or children or even property. As more non-government organizations have established their works on stray animals in the past twenty years. We can see that the general public in Hong Kong actually care a lot about these animals’ welfare instead of hating on them. In order to evaluate the public concerns about stray animals and their opinion on Cap.169, I have 213 people participated in my questionnaires and 5 persons conducted an in-person interviews with me. These people might not be able to represent the opinions of Hong Kong population but they have shared their views and different attitude towards the stray animals in Hong Kong. At the same time, they have also shown their disappointment in Hong Kong animal welfare measure and the very outdated prevention of cruelty to animals law.