Mr Gordon Chan discussed the legal framework on animal protection and welfare in Hong Kong in an interview with Broadcast News Network.
In an interview with Broadcast News Network, Mr Gordon Chan discussed Hong Kong’s legal framework on animal protection and the introduction of the concept of “duty of care” towards animals.
The main piece of legislation for animal protection has been the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap 169), which has a history of more than a century and focused upon prevention of cruelty and torture of animals.
The government conducted a public consultation on reforming the Ordinance in 2019, which notably introduced for the first time a duty of care to animals. Even though the result was overwhelmingly positive, little headway was made. This has left a gap in the available enforcement power, which only focuses on the more extreme abusive behaviours but is less preventive in nature.
Gordon Chan, Esq
Barrister-at-law, Archbold Hong Kong Editor on Public Health, and Member of the Bar Association's Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure. Specialised in medical, technology and criminal law.
