Animal welfare groups on Wednesday urged the government to beef up penalties for animal cruelty and make Hong Kong a more pet-friendly city.

At a press conference at the Legislative Council, the organisations said the current penalty of HK$200,000 and a jail term of three years is not enough.

They want to increase the fine to HK$1 million and extend jail terms to seven years for a stronger deterrent effect.

Susan Lai, founder of the Animal Rights and Welfare Association, said there are loopholes with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.

“There is an urgent need to review the current legislation, including the addition of 'due diligence' in the legislation, and also increase the penalty regarding any animal cruelty case,” she said.

“Currently it is very difficult to provide evidence, and successful prosecution cases are actually very low.”

Despite there being nearly 500 animal cruelty cases reported in the first nine months of 2024, the prosecution rate was only three percent, official figures showed.

North District councillor Corey Lau said authorities should also review restrictions for pets in restaurants and expand their access to public transport.

“The demand is very high in Hong Kong because many pet owners want to transport and eat with their pets in the restaurants. That's why there's a demand for the improvement of the law,” he said.

DAB lawmaker Edward Lau will meet officials from the Environment and Ecology Bureau to discuss these proposals later this month.