Alliance urges war on animal traps

TWENTY-TWO animal concern groups have banded together to combat the use of animal traps that maimed at least 13 animals last year.

The Stop Illegal Animal Traps Alliance (杜絕非法捕獸器同盟) includes the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA, 愛護動物協會), Society for Abandoned Animals (保護遺棄動物協會 ), Hong Kong Wild Bird Conservation Concern Group (香港野生雀鳥保育關注組) and Sai Kung Stray Friends (西貢流浪狗協會). The alliance aims to raise awareness and to collaborate with volunteers to eliminate unlawful animal traps.

SPCA chief officer of the inspectorate said the society confiscated 159 animal traps between 2010 and 2014.

Last year, nine dogs, two cats, a boar and a cow had to be rescued from the traps that were found in remote areas including Lam Tsuen (林村) in Tai Po (大埔) and Hang Tau Tsuen (坑頭村) in Sheung Shui (上水). He said some animals had to have their limbs amputated.

Group members said the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (漁農自然護理署) has done little to stop the practice as enforcing the law is difficult.

“To arrest a culprit is difficult,” Ho said. “It needs evidence, like finding someone holding the trap.”

He said a dog named ‘Four-eye Tsai’ was injured by a trap and had a front leg amputated to save its life. The alliance has set up a Facebook page which serves as a platform for volunteers.

(The Standard, 3 March 2015)