Yuen Long Dog Attack: Owner Watches Helplessly as 60kg Unleashed Aggressor Sinks Its Teeth into Her Bichon and Never Lets Go

A tragic dog-on-dog attack in Yuen Long on August 17 has sparked widespread concern across Hong Kong. An unleashed dog weighing approximately 60 kilograms fatally attacked a 17-year-old miniature poodle and a 4-year-old bichon frise.

The tragic dog-on-dog attack in Yuen Long on August 17, Photo source: online image

The bichon frise's owner posted on social media on August 18 to recount the harrowing incident.

She said she was walking her dog, "Meimei," at the YOHO Lollipop Park as usual when a large dog, about half a person's height, suddenly charged out and clamped its jaws around Meimei's neck. The owner and nearby passersby tried everything to stop the attack, kicking the large dog, spraying water on its nose, and offering treats, but the dog refused to let go. She could only watch helplessly as her beloved pet died.

The owner of "Meimei" could only watch helplessly as her beloved pet died. Photo source: online image

Even after Meimei had died, the attacking dog remained guarding the body. It was only after police arrived and restrained the dog that the owner could retrieve her pet's remains. 

In the owner's post, she described Meimei as "a little angel of the family" and said she and her family were heartbroken and could not sleep through the night. "I just want to hold her and kiss her again. I can't believe she left us so suddenly," she wrote. The owner said the large dog's owner never appeared at the scene.

The bichon frise "Meimei," Photo source: online image

In response to the incident, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the large dog was taken to the department's Animal Management Centre. After checking, it was found to have a microchip and a valid dog licence. Officers are contacting the owner based on the licence information and are investigating the case. AFCD noted that if there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be initiated.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Photo source: news.gov.hk

AFCD reminds dog owners that they must exercise proper control over their dogs at all times, including securely leashing large dogs with a lead, to prevent any nuisance or harm to other people or animals.

AFCD investigates suspected dog attack in Yuen Long

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 18) announced that, in relation to a suspected dog attack case involving a dog attacking other dogs that occurred in Yuen Long yesterday (August 17), the AFCD arrested the keeper of the dog concerned this afternoon and collected statement regarding this case. The dog concerned is currently put under observation at the AFCD's animal management centre.

The dog concerned was previously detained by the AFCD on July 10 this year in connection with another dog attack case. The dog concerned was subsequently reclaimed by its keeper. At the time, the AFCD warned the keeper that the dog must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length in public places and must be kept under proper control.

The AFCD is currently investigating the two aforementioned cases and will instigate prosecution if there is sufficient evidence.

The AFCD attaches great importance to the matter, particularly with regard to the control of large dogs in public places, and once again reminds all dog keepers that they must keep their dogs under proper control at all times, especially by securely holding the large dogs on a leash to prevent them from causing nuisance or injury to other people or animals.

Under section 9 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D), a large dog weighing 20 kilograms or more must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length when in a public place. Any person who contravenes the relevant requirement is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for three months.

Under section 23 of the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), a dog must be held on a leash or otherwise kept under proper control when in a public place, or in any other place from which it may reasonably be expected to wander into a public place. Any person who contravenes the above requirement is liable to a fine of $10,000.

Furthermore, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), any person who wantonly or unreasonably does or fails to do any act, thereby causing any animal to suffer unnecessary pain, commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Source: AI-found images