CONFIDENTIAL
GPS 42J IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 110250Z
CONFIDENTIAL
EAC
R
N
REF.
145
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 741 OF 11 JULY 1974
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 631.
ALLEGED CRUELTY TO DOGS IN HONG KONG.
RECEIVED IN
148
TOP COPY
REGISTRY No.52
11 JUL 1974
рск
PICK 7/1
WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED CROWSON'S LETTER OF 3 JULY AND SUGGEST THAT THE FOLLOWING LINE BE TAKEN.
THE EATING OF DOGS IS A TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN CHINESE CUSTOM AND
RESTS ON A DEEP-ROOTED BELIEF THAT DOG FLESH HAS SPECIAL
NUTRITIOUS VALUE. IT IS ILLEGAL IN HONG KONG AND BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND S.P.C.A. PROSECUTE ANY CASES WHICH BECOME KNOWN TO THEM. BUT 11 IS A CUSTOM WHICH WE HAVE NOT FOUND EASY TO ERADICATE.
3. THE LAW IS CLEAR. UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATION 22 OF THE DOGS AND CATS REGULATIONS (CAP 167), NO PERSON IS PERMITTED TO SLAUGHTER ANY DOG FOR USE AS FOOD, WHETHER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OR OTHERWISE. NO PERSON CAN SELL OR USE, OR PERMIT THE SALE OR USE OF, THE FLESH OF DOGS FOR FOOD. ANY PERSON WHO IS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE CARCASS OF ANY DOG, OR ANY PART THEREOF, IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES AS WOULD REASONABLY GIVE RISE TO A BELIEF THAT SUCH TOG WAS BEING OR HAD BEEN SLAUGHTERED OR SOLD OR USED FOR FOOD
IN BREACH OF THE REGULATION IS FOUND GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE UNLESS HE IS ABLE TO SATISFY A MAGISTRATE THAT HE HAS NOT IN FACT
COMMITTED ANY BREACH. ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATION IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF ONE THOUSAND HONG KONG DOLLARS (APPROXIMATELY FOUNDS STERLING 33) AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS. THE ACTUAL
FINE, OF COURSE, DEPENDS ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE MAGISTRATE.
4. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS PROHIBITED UNDER THE PREVENTION OF
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ORDINANCE (CAP 169). ANY PERSON WHO INFLICTS OR PERMITS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO
A FINE OF ONE THOUSAND HONG KONG DOLLARS AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR
SIX MONTHS, WE TAKE A SERIOUS VIEW OF CRUELTY AND WHENEVER ANY
EVIDENCE IS AVAILABLE, PROSECUTION IS INSTITUTED IN EVERY CASE,
CONFIDENTIAL
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