Hundreds rally to keep dogs in public housing
by Ho Yung Yee
More than 400 people attended a candle-light vigil to push for a government review on the policy that bans keeping of dogs in public housing estate.
Dog Rights Concern Group, the holder of the candlelight vigil, said that the Housing Authority is very strict on the dog owners who are living in public housing, and there was a case that a resident of Shatin Sun Chui Estate tried to commit suicide due to being parted from her dog. The candlelight vigil was to express concern that more than 10,000 dogs in public housing may be made homeless due to government policy, to open conversations with the housing authority and seek reasonable resolutions, to seek attention of domestic and international groups for animal rights, and to promote responsible dog ownership as they believe that proper education of dog owners is a more practical alternative to total banning.
Mark Mak from the Veterinary Service Society speaks at the rally. (Photos: Ho Yung Yee)
Claudia Mo, member of Hong Kong Legislative Council, also attended the candlelight vigil, said that it is not an easy path to proceed legally on owning dogs in public housing, but she highlighted that “you may not necessarily succeed when you try, but you will definitely fail if you didn’t.”
Mark Mak from the non-profit Veterinary Service Society said that dogs’ owners should see their dogs as family members instead of pets or toys. In that case, the dogs should enjoy the same rights and public resources as human beings and should never be discarded.
