There are now 311 working dogs in the Government to assist officers of the relevant departments in performing duties pertaining to the maintenance of law and order and the protection of public safety.
In a written reply to a lawmakers today, Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man noted that the working dogs are deployed in the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, Customs & Excise Department,Correctional Services Department, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, Fire Services Department and Police Force.
Their duties include quarantine inspection, narcotics interdiction, investigation, patrol, and tasks related to publicity and education.
Having regard to the working dogs' duties and the actual circumstances, the six departments have formulated their own work and rest schedules, meal, shelter and medical arrangements for them.
Given the special nature of their duties, Fire Services Department working dogs and their respective handlers work on a "24 hours on, 24/48 hours off" shift system on a team basis. For the other five departments, the dogs work three to eight hours a day, with at least one or two days off per week.
The working dogs also have individual partitioned rest spaces, with a covered area of at least three square metres, fitted with a facility that provides clean drinking water, sufficient lighting, ventilation or thermostat control, and drainage.
Working dogs usually retire between the ages of eight and 10. Their handlers are given priority when applying to adopt the retired canines. Some departments allow interested members of the community to adopt the retired dogs subject to relevant assessment.
