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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
to the Standing Orders and Procedure Select Committee for a ruling on your decision to disallow them, this being a matter of Urban Council Order and Procedure.
CHAIRMAN:-I shall be very happy to do that, Sir.
(15) MR. R. H. LOBO asked the following question:-
This Council prohibits dogs on Hong Kong's public beaches and I have received complaints from members of the public of dogs running loose on many of these beaches and entering the water.
Would the Chairman please inform me what measure will be taken to prevent this nuisance?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows:-
Relevant extracts from the Bathing Beach By-laws are conspicuously displayed at every public beach. Beach staff are being reminded that they should draw the attention of anyone bringing a dog onto a public bathing beach to the fact that by so doing they render themselves liable to a fine of five hundred dollars and to imprisonment for fourteen days.
Where stray dogs are concerned staff are being reminded that it is their duty to chase them off the beach. The department is also examining the possibility of calling more frequently upon the services of the dog-catching units which are controlled by the Director of Agriculture.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, would you confirm that the control of dogs did come under this Council and was transferred to the Director of Agriculture a few years ago?
CHAIRMAN: I cannot confirm that, Sir, it was before my time, but I imagine you are correct in your facts.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Perhaps the matter could be reviewed, because surely the control of dogs is very much a matter for this Council rather than a matter for the Director of Agriculture?
CHAIRMAN:-I do not agree, Sir. It is only when dogs come on the beaches, public recreation grounds and other places which are our concern that we have our attention directed towards dogs, but there are many parts of the Colony where dogs roam or are taken which are not our concern.
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DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, please, in that connection may I ask is it not true that we are spending something like $10,000, it was $15,000 at one stage, to build gardens for dogs?
CHAIRMAN: A dog garden is planned for a corner of Victoria Park, and there may be others in contemplation.
DR. BELL: In that case, are dogs not the concern of this Council?
CHAIRMAN:-Dogs in Parks and dogs on beaches are.
DR. BELL:-Would it not therefore be possible to have areas on beaches where dogs could go?
CHAIRMAN: It may offer a little difficulty, but it is worth studying. I think the answer so far has been to accept the position that there are certain beaches, which are not public beaches, where dogs can be taken by their owners.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, arising out of the second paragraph of your reply concerning dogs being brought to the beaches, does that include a person carrying a dog, not holding a dog? For instance, if Dr. BELL has a dog in her arms on the beach, how would you consider a case like that?
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, I object, I would not even consider taking a dog to the beach. It is not allowed. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I think MR. LOBO was referring only to dogs which are running loose on beaches, but I am asking a specific supplementary question. If a member of the public should carry a dog in his or her arms, how would that be considered by the Urban Council?
CHAIRMAN:-I shall have to refer to the By-laws. I think we have an answer to this. By-law No. 9 of the Bathing Beach By-laws says that "Save with the permission in writing of the Council no person shall bring...onto any bathing beach...any animal". Therefore, if DR. BELL wishes to apply to this Council for permission to carry a dog onto the beach, we could consider it. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:-Arising out of the general question of dogs on beaches, I have had complaints from dog owners from time to time that they are never permitted to bring their dogs on the beach. Can not the Council consider permitting dogs on some beaches during the week at certain hours?
CHAIRMAN: I think that the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee would be willing to go into the back history of this case and consider your suggestion.
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