Police uncovered a suspected breeding site in Fanling Thursday, where 21 cats and dogs were found living in a filthy village house reeking of rubbish and feces.
A 38-year-old man, surnamed Ng, was arrested for suspected animal cruelty.
Officers arrived at Sze Tau Leng Village, located in northern New Territories, after neighbors called police about a foul smell coming from the house.
They discovered 19 cats and two dogs in poor condition, living in a grimy 300 square foot ground level of a three-story house. Pet cages and pet food were also found in the cramped space, with rubbish and feces littered on the floor.
Among the pets were prized breeds including chinchillas, Ragdolls and British Shorthairs, all of them kittens. Both dogs, around two to three years old, were Pomeranians, police said.
The pets were taken in by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Read more: Corpse of month-old kitty found beheaded, chopped up in Tsuen Wan village
According to neighbors, Ng is rarely spotted in the village as he leaves early in the morning and returns home late.
Ken Luk, founder of animal welfare group HK Paws Guardian, told HK01 that residents have found pet corpses in cardboard boxes around the village, believed to be from the suspected breeding site. Ng has also reportedly sold ill kittens online.
A man surnamed Wong, who lives on the third floor of the house, said he smells a “public toilet” stench every time he walks past the ground floor unit, but felt bad about complaining as he only rents the place.
The incident has been classified as an animal cruelty case and will be probed by the police’s criminal investigation team in Tai Po district.
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