At the beginning of this year, the government culled more than 2,000 hamsters on the grounds of epidemic prevention. Later, the amendment stipulated that any items, including animals, that may be infected with a specified infectious disease must be handed over by the owner according to the instructions. Otherwise, a fine of 10,000 yuan and Imprisoned for six months, the relevant measures have caused social controversy.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department issued a statement today (18th) stating that there is currently no evidence that infected animals (such as cats and dogs) can transmit the virus to humans. In the case of hamsters infecting humans with the virus at the beginning of the year, we will prudently consider using relevant powers to deal with animals.
▼In January this year, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department went to pet stores in Hong Kong to kill hamsters▼
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The Government has recently made amendments to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) and the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (the Regulations), including stipulating that the owner of the article (including animals) must To produce articles as directed by a health officer, and to criminalize and introduce penalties for non-compliance with the instruction.
The AFCD said that in view of the latest epidemiology and changing epidemics, the government must take effective public health prevention and control measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
If there is a recurrence of hamster transmission cases, the power will be exercised prudently
The department stated that, except for a few animal species (such as mink and hamster), there is currently no evidence that infected animals (such as cats and dogs) can transmit the virus to humans, so the chance of humans contracting the new coronavirus through animals is very low. Relevant powers need to be exercised, and there is little chance that pet owners will be required to surrender their pets.
However, if there is sufficient scientific evidence to show that animals have transmitted the virus to humans, such as the case of hamsters transmitting the virus to humans at the beginning of the year, the Department of Health and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will carefully consider using their powers to deal with the animals concerned.
The government's amendment stipulates that any item, including an animal, that may be infected with a specified infectious disease must be handed over by the owner as instructed, otherwise a fine of 10,000 yuan and six months' imprisonment will be imposed.
(File photo / Photo by Liang Pengwei)
As for mammalian pets, if their owners are confirmed COVID-19 patients or their close contacts, they need to be hospitalized or quarantined at a quarantine center. Continue to adopt the previous practice of sending the pet to the New Territories South Animal Management Centre for quarantine and veterinary surveillance after obtaining the owner's consent.
Owners who are infected or quarantined can choose to send pets to relatives and friends for temporary care
During the period, the AFCD will provide care and make special arrangements according to their health conditions. At the same time, pets will be sampled for virus testing according to the situation. When the result is negative and the veterinary monitoring results are satisfactory, the AFCD will arrange for the owner to take the pet back.
Apart from handing over to the AFCD, pet owners can also arrange for relatives and friends to take care of their pets.
▼1.19 Citizens hand in hamsters to the New Territories South Animal Management Center under the "Rat Killing Order"▼
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A total of 73 wild boars were killed in the killing operation. The AFCD plans to amend the regulations to expand the feeding area and increase the penalty within the year. The AFCD inspectors receive stray dogs and change the documents to give the dogs. Citizens do not want to appear in court to admit fraud. The department will pay 10,000 to 30,000 yuan per area to sell hamster pet shops. From Saturday, you can apply for killing hamsters | In order to cut off the chain of transmission as soon as possible Abandoned hamsters in the store have been killed by the Humane Destruction Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department