Animal welfare: Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Stella Hung launches a joint campaign with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals against animal cruelty.

A publicity drive has been launched urging people to report acts of animal cruelty. Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Stella Hung said the move will lead to more thorough investigations and prosecution.

People should call Police or the department through the Government hotline 1823 if they see any act of animal cruelty.

Launching the campaign with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals today, Mrs Hung said co-operation between the two parties will help combat uncivilised acts to animals and bring offenders to account.

More SPCA staff will be trained to help in daily surveillance of cruelty acts, gather evidence and prepare witness statements against the offenders.

Mrs Hung said the heavier penalty approved by lawmakers last month will have a greater deterrent effect on acts of cruelty to animals. Efforts to promote respect of animals will continue. She reminded people that keeping pets should be a life-long commitment and that the animals must be given proper care.

A roving exhibition on treating animals well, currently being held in the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices ground floor lobby, will move on to other venues across the city. Several vibrantly-painted buses have also been commissioned to disseminate animal welfare messages.