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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Services Department is now experimenting with a scheme to provide dog latrines at suitable street corners. Can the Director of Urban Services Department advise how far this experiment has progressed? What is further planned to reduce this nuisance?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's understanding in this matter is correct. The Department started its experiment in July 1969, and so far 12 "dog latrines" have been provided in various places on the Island and 6 in Kowloon. Response from dog owners has been encouraging and some improvement in the areas in which these latrines have been provided has been observed. In addition to these dog latrines, Members will be aware that the Council has also set aside special areas in three parks (one in Hong Kong and two in Kowloon) for use as dog gardens.
The nuisance caused by dogs fouling streets is not peculiar to Hong Kong. All cities in the world are faced with this problem, and the Department has written to other councils to enquire of the action taken by them. Some of the ideas may be worth implementing in Hong Kong and these are being studied. In the meantime, the Department will continue its attempt to provide more dog latrines, but this is not proving easy in view of the shortage of suitable sites in the built-up areas where the nuisance is probably worst.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- How many additional dog latrines are scheduled between now and the end of the financial year, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:- As many as we can find sites for, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- How many sites have you found so far?
CHAIRMAN:- 12 in Hong Kong and 6 in Kowloon, and another one in Hong Kong which is not yet listed because it was only completed this month.
MR. SALES:- And none in Chai Wan, Mr. Chairman? (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:- Shame. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, 12 in Hong Kong and 6 in Kowloon. Are you referring to what will be provided, or what has already been provided?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: What has been provided.
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- What will be provided between now and the end of the financial year, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:- Whenever we find sites, we will provide as many as we can. I cannot say exactly how many; there is a tremendous problem in finding sites, especially in the worst areas which are built up.
MR. FORSGATE:- Mr. Chairman, to encourage the use of dog latrines, is it proposed to prosecute the dog, or its owner? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:- We have no power for this so far; we are thinking of doing something like this, especially where foot-paths are concerned.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Have there been any prosecutions this year, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:- Not that I know of, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- So you are still thinking about it?
CHAIRMAN:- That's what I said.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- How much longer will you continue to think about it?
CHAIRMAN:- Until I can get the proposal to the Select Committee.
(6) MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Can the Chairman advise what additional services can be provided by the Urban Services Department to assist multi-storey building Management Committees to organize group collection and disposal of rubbish, apart from the daily collections along established routes? In case of a general clean-up in a multi-storey building organized by the Management Committee, will it be possible for the Urban Services Department to make any special arrangements without any charge?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
Mr. Chairman, under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, the occupiers of any premises not provided with a refuse chute are required to provide their own dustbins and shall place therein all of their house
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