The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on Wednesday dismissed a claim that its officers would label a canine as a fighting dog based merely on a quick observation.

In a statement, the department said the identification of fighting dogs is handled by veterinarians, who will carefully examine the dogs’ physical features – the shape of their head, ears and eyes, their stature, height and body length, as well as body structures.

“This is the internationally accepted practice for identifying fighting dog breeds, and it is both scientifically and professionally sound, taking full account of the actual safety risks posed by the dog,” it said.

The department also said genetic testing is not the best method for identifying fighting dogs.

Most dogs carry mixed-breed genes, and those with genes from the fighting dog breeds may not necessarily develop relevant characteristics, it explained.

But the department said authorities would monitor developments in the technology and consider the possibility of using it as a supplementary tool in the future.

The AFCD said the purpose of identifying fighting dogs is to safeguard the safety of the public and animals, and officers would actively communicate with dog owners in enforcement operations.


Edited by Aaron Tam