Fur flies over Hong Kong pet ban

By Chris Hogg
BBC correspondent in Hong Kong

Wong Pik-wa's apartment is so narrow and crammed there is barely enough room to sit down.

Yet Mrs Wong shares it with not just her husband but her pet, her Pekinese dog Lucky.

As she told me how she felt about the fact she might have to get rid of Lucky, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Hong Kong residents have protested against the ban

"I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll take my dog and sleep under the flyover on the street," she said.

Mrs Wong is one of tens of thousands of public housing tenants who have been told that pets will no longer be allowed.

Under the terms of their leases they are not allowed to keep pets. But for years the authorities turned a blind eye. Two months ago that changed. They were told that from 1 October all pets would have to be removed.

An estimated 17,000 families in Hong Kong's public housing estates keep pets illegally.

A dog is a friend and a family member Doris Yiu, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

And although that is less than 3% of the total families living in public housing, it still represents a lot of animals to get rid of.

Many of them could end up at the rescue centre run by Hong Kong's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

SPCA spokesperson Doris Yiu said that the effect of being forced to get rid of pets will devastate some owners.

"For the aged people, you know, this is their companion - and when they lose their companion usually something bad happens to them," she said.

The Hong Kong Government decided to clamp down on animal ownership after a survey of public housing estate residents showed that 70% were in favour of a total pet ban.

But officials admit they have been surprised by the level of protests from animal charities and others over the new policy.

Nelson Lam, from Hong Kong's Kennel Club, said that the vast majority of responsible owners were being punished because of the irresponsible actions of a minority.

"Basically, it's the irresponsible people who brought this to themselves, and then of course other responsible pet owners are suffering," he said.

Upon receipt of two verified complaints... this permission will be withdrawn Lau Kai-hung, HK Housing Department

Now, just days before the new policy is due to begin, there are signs that the protesters have had some effect.

The Housing Department's deputy director, Lau Kai-hung, said he would be able to sort out a solution which would satisfy pet owners while also satisfying the majority of public housing tenants' views.

The government is now proposing that existing pets may be allowed to stay if they weigh less than 20kg and are not a nuisance to their neighbours.

But Mr Lau denied that the government had shifted from a clampdown to a climb-down.

"They have to follow a lot of rules to make sure that those pets being kept in the premises will not be causing any nuisance to their neighbours," he said.

"And upon receipt of two verified complaints, then this permission will be withdrawn," he added.

But Mrs Wong will have to wait until Thursday - when the housing committee holds its final meeting before the ban is due to go ahead - to find out if Lucky will live up to his name and get a reprieve.