XN000022-1994-01-26 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1994

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG, MR SIU SAID HE BELIEVED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION SET OUT CLEARLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DOG OWNERS IN REGARD TO CONTROL OF THEIR ANIMALS IN PUBLIC PLACES.

THE INTRODUCTION OF A REQUIREMENT FOR COMPULSORY USE OF MUZZLES ON ALL DOGS IS NOT WARRANTED, HE SAID.

THE DOGS AND

CATS REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT NO DOG MAY BE ALLOWED OUT ON A PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE UNLESS IT IS ON A LEAD OR OTHERWISE UNDER CONTROL.

ANY PERSON BREAKING THIS REQUIREMENT IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

MOREOVER, UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, THERE ARE PENALTIES OF A FINE OF $500 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS FOR ANY PERSON WHO KEEPS A DOG THAT PERSISTENTLY ANNOYS OR MENACES NEIGHBOURS OR PASSERS-BY OR WHO ALLOWS AN UNMUZZLED FEROCIOUS DOG TO GO AT LARGE, OR URGES ANY DOG TO ATTACK OR WORRY ANY PERSON.

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CODIFICATION OF LAW OF CONTEMPT NOT NECESSARY: AG

#

THE

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSIDERED THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S REPORT ON CONTEMPT OF COURT VERY CAREFULLY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN

PUBLISHED,

15

WAS THE LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE REPORT THE ADMINISTRATION DOUBTS THAT CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF CONTEMPT EITHER NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE.

REPLYING

SAID A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON IP, MR MATHEWS ADMINISTRATION, IN REACHING ITS DECISION, HAD NOTED THAT:

THE

* THE COMMON LAW RULES RELATING TO CONTEMPT HAVE CONTINUED

DEVELOP:

ΤΟ

*

THE LAW OF CONTEMPT HAS BECOME SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 16 OF BILL OF RIGHTS, WHICH PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION; AND

THE

+

THE

UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDED THE BASIS MANY OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS (THE CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT 1981) HAS CREATED GREATER COMPLEXITY AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE LAW AND HAS NOT BEEN COPIED IN OTHER JURISDICTION.

FOR

ANY

DOUBTS

THAT

**

"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE ADMINISTRATION CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF CONTEMPT IS EITHER NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE, MR MATHEWS SAID.

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