Government to review road traffic laws to include cats and dogs

What do horses, cattle, asses, mules, sheep, pigs and goats have in common?

They’re all animals which, if struck by a driver, must be reported as such to police, under Hong Kong’s Road Traffic Ordinance.

Cats and dogs, though, are currently not included in this legal list, meaning hit-and-runs involving the most common household pets can go unreported.

This, however, may soon change, according to an official.

Speaking to lawmakers yesterday, food and health secretary Sophia Chan said that the government would review animal welfare laws to emphasize people’s liability.

As part of this,  the department will submit proposals to the Legislative Council to amend the Road Traffic Ordinance to include felines and pooches.

Chan said the government would return to Hong Kong’s parliament with suggested amendments to the ordinance next month after consulting with relevant stakeholders.

Under section 56 Road Traffic Ordinance, failure to report to the police any car accident that has harmed an animal can land the driver a HK$10,000 (about US$1,280) fine and 12 months in jail.

However, there was no suggestion from Chan that wild boars could also be included in the amended ordinance.

In January, five wild boar piglets were killed in a hit and run in Tai Mo Shan. Four piglets were declared dead at the scene, and the sole surviving piglet was taken to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden for treatment, but had to be put down.

Police did not investigate the incident because the ordinance only covers pigs, and not wild boars.