An assistant director for Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Jackie Yip, said on Tuesday that every dog attack is one tragedy too many, vowing to tackle the problem of stray dogs at its source.

Yip was speaking on RTHK after a 27-year-old woman was fatally attacked while cycling home in Yuen Long late on Saturday.

Three stray dogs linked to the case have been caught, two with microchips, and officers are following up with the owners.

She described the incident as very unfortunate and serious, adding that if stray dogs were indeed responsible for the death, the government had a duty to act and protect public safety.

Yip said the focus is on cutting stray dog numbers through mandatory registration, vaccination and desexing, as well as public education against abandonment.

In the short term, she added, authorities would target black spots with capture operations and step up enforcement against owners.

She added that the joint operation with police to capture stray dogs in the Pok Wai South Road area of Yuen Long would continue for some time.

“We all know that this incident occurred late at night. During such late hours, if it were indeed related to dogs — for instance, if stray dogs were present — the associated risk might be higher," she said.

"Therefore, our current action aims to expand the search area as much as possible to reduce that risk."



Edited by Tony Sabine