To further combat cruelty to animals, the Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) made the statement in response to the direct investigation operation report on the Government's work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance in stages.

The AFCD stated that the Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives, and the AFCD accepts the office's recommendations and will actively follow up on them.

To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training.

The AFCD will take reference from the report's recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management.

Additionally, it will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.

Since 2011, the AFCD together with Police and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results.

The AFCD has liaised with Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.

The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession.

In response to the office's recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner.

In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Customs and Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation.

Moreover, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.