Amended HK law: Drivers should stop after hitting cat, dog

People wearing masks walk their dogs on a pier in Hong Kong on Jan 30, 2020. AFP FILE PHOTO

HONG KONG – Drivers will be required to stop the vehicle after hitting a cat or a dog as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 comes into effect Sunday.

In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said the amendment comes as the number of dogs and cats kept by the public increased in recent years.

“Traffic accidents involving injuries or deaths of these animals have occurred from time to time,” the spokesman said.

To safeguard animal welfare, the amended ordinance requires drivers to stop the vehicle if they hit any cat or dog so that the injured animal can receive timely medical treatment.

“Drivers should ensure that it is safe before stopping to avoid endangering themselves and other road users,” the spokesman added.

The Road Traffic Ordinance stipulates that the driver of a vehicle shall stop if “an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby damage is caused to animals not in the vehicle.”

Currently, the definition of “animal” covers any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat, and will include cat and dog after the amended ordinance comes into effect.

The Road Traffic Ordinance also stipulates that drivers must provide particulars, including name and address, to police officers or the one having reasonable grounds for requiring the information. Otherwise, the driver must report the accident to police within 24 hours after the incident.

A driver failing to stop after an accident is liable to a fine of HK$10,000 and imprisonment for 12 months, while failing to provide particulars and report to police within 24 hours is liable to a fine of HK$25,000 and imprisonment for six months.