1964 — Page 58

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 58 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

recovering. What would you charge, for example, for oiling a stagnant pool?

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, has any estimate of the cost been made by the Department in terms of manpower, in terms of effort and departmental management expenses?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- As I said in my reply, only one case has been reported this year.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I think that in cases like this a charge should be made, bearing in mind that no rates are paid in respect of new premises. May I suggest, Sir, that this matter be gone into further by the Department?

CHAIRMAN:- Yes, Sir. I would point out that where relatively major work is involved, for example, the clearance of blocked drains, charges are usually recovered, but in the case of the nuisances that have been referred to—rats, mosquitoes and flies—the cost of the work is very small, and it is not considered to be worth recovering. However, I would certainly be willing to look into the matter and let you have more detailed information about it.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I beg to disagree with you, because on occasion when my own house has been infested with mosquitoes and I call on the Department's assistance, they do a tremendously good job. I consider it a major effort.

DR. LEE:- For you. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I will let that pass as it comes from the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.

MR. WATSON:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? Will this be after or before MR. CHEONG-LEEN has been summonsed for breeding mosquitoes? (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, whenever complaints have emanated from me, apparently the infestation is outside or nearby.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

Will the Chairman please state:

(a) To what extent stray dogs and privately-owned dogs roaming the streets without a leash are considered by the Urban Services Department as a nuisance to members of the public?

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) Is the Urban Services Department in constant liaison with any other departments on this matter?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The Department is concerned with nuisances caused by dogs fouling pavements and streets whether or not they are on a leash. As I said in reply to a question asked on this subject at the Council meeting last February, this nuisance is dealt with as far as possible by beat sweepers and the offensive matter is disposed of in the normal way. Similar nuisances may be caused by dogs in public pleasure grounds and at bathing beaches, but in these cases there is provision to deal with them in the Pleasure Grounds By-laws, 1960 and in the Bathing Beach By-laws, 1960. These provisions apply, however, to persons in charge of dogs. In the case of stray dogs, I think that it is easy for the staff to chase them away from parks and beaches. If stray dogs become a nuisance in parks, the assistance of the Agriculture and Forestry Department's Dog Catching Units is sought by the department with a view to rounding them up. Elsewhere, the Police and members of the public make frequent direct calls on the services of these units.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, how many departments are involved in regard to nuisances caused by dogs, apart from the Urban Council and Urban Services Department?

CHAIRMAN:- Sir, as I explained, the Agriculture and Forestry Department is concerned with the impounding of stray dogs and the Police also play a part.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Am I correct in interpreting from your first paragraph that this Council is concerned only with the fouling of pavements and streets by dogs and in no other circumstances?

CHAIRMAN:- That, Sir, is my understanding of the position. This Council is concerned with the sanitary side.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- What happens, Mr. Chairman, when a stray dog barks at or tries to intimidate a child? Which department is concerned with that type of nuisance?

CHAIRMAN:- May I suggest the Police, Sir. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, if a member of the Urban Services Department staff should witness a stray dog barking at or intimidating a child, all he has to do is to put up his hands and say—"not my business, call for the Police"?

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Page 58 of 312 94 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL recovering. What would you charge, for example, for oiling a stagnant pool? MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, has any estimate of the cost been made by the Department in terms of manpower, in terms of effort and departmental management expenses? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- As I said in my reply, only one case has been reported this year. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I think that in cases like this a charge should be made, bearing in mind that no rates are paid in respect of new premises. May I suggest, Sir, that this matter be gone into further by the Department? CHAIRMAN:- Yes, Sir. I would point out that where relatively major work is involved, for example, the clearance of blocked drains, charges are usually recovered, but in the case of the nuisances that have been referred to—rats, mosquitoes and flies—the cost of the work is very small, and it is not considered to be worth recovering. However, I would certainly be willing to look into the matter and let you have more detailed information about it. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I beg to disagree with you, because on occasion when my own house has been infested with mosquitoes and I call on the Department's assistance, they do a tremendously good job. I consider it a major effort. DR. LEE:- For you. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I will let that pass as it comes from the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. MR. WATSON:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? Will this be after or before MR. CHEONG-LEEN has been summonsed for breeding mosquitoes? (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, whenever complaints have emanated from me, apparently the infestation is outside or nearby. MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:- Will the Chairman please state: (a) To what extent stray dogs and privately-owned dogs roaming the streets without a leash are considered by the Urban Services Department as a nuisance to members of the public? HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 95 (b) Is the Urban Services Department in constant liaison with any other departments on this matter? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: The Department is concerned with nuisances caused by dogs fouling pavements and streets whether or not they are on a leash. As I said in reply to a question asked on this subject at the Council meeting last February, this nuisance is dealt with as far as possible by beat sweepers and the offensive matter is disposed of in the normal way. Similar nuisances may be caused by dogs in public pleasure grounds and at bathing beaches, but in these cases there is provision to deal with them in the Pleasure Grounds By-laws, 1960 and in the Bathing Beach By-laws, 1960. These provisions apply, however, to persons in charge of dogs. In the case of stray dogs, I think that it is easy for the staff to chase them away from parks and beaches. If stray dogs become a nuisance in parks, the assistance of the Agriculture and Forestry Department's Dog Catching Units is sought by the department with a view to rounding them up. Elsewhere, the Police and members of the public make frequent direct calls on the services of these units. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, how many departments are involved in regard to nuisances caused by dogs, apart from the Urban Council and Urban Services Department? CHAIRMAN:- Sir, as I explained, the Agriculture and Forestry Department is concerned with the impounding of stray dogs and the Police also play a part. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Am I correct in interpreting from your first paragraph that this Council is concerned only with the fouling of pavements and streets by dogs and in no other circumstances? CHAIRMAN:- That, Sir, is my understanding of the position. This Council is concerned with the sanitary side. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- What happens, Mr. Chairman, when a stray dog barks at or tries to intimidate a child? Which department is concerned with that type of nuisance? CHAIRMAN:- May I suggest the Police, Sir. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, if a member of the Urban Services Department staff should witness a stray dog barking at or intimidating a child, all he has to do is to put up his hands and say—"not my business, call for the Police"? Page 59 of 312

Baseline (Original)

2 י ! Page 58 of 312 94 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL recovering. What would you charge, for example, for oiling a stagnant pool? MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, has any estimate of the cost been made by the Department in terms of manpower, in terms of effort and departmental management expenses? DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-AS I said in my reply, only one case has been reported this year. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I think that in cases like this a charge should be made, bearing in mind that no rates are paid in respect of new premises. May I suggest, Sir, that this matter be gone into further by the Department? CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir. I would point out that where relatively major work is involved, for example, the clearance of blocked drains, charges are usually recovered, but in the case of the nuisances that have been referred to-rats, mosquitoes and flies-the cost of the work is very small, and it is not considered to be worth recovering. However, I would certainly be willing to look into the matter and let you have more detailed information about it. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to disagree with you, because on occasion when my own house has been infested with mos- quitoes and I call on the Department's assistance, they do a tremendous- ly good job. I consider it a major effort. DR. LEE:-For you. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I will let that pass as it comes from the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. MR. WATSON: -Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? Will this be after or before Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has been summonsed for breeding mosquitoes? (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, whenever complaints have emanated from me, apparently the infestation is outside or nearby. MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :- Will the Chairman please state: (a) To what extent stray dogs and privately-owned dogs roaming the streets without a leash are considered by the Urban Services Department as a nuisance to members of the public? HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 95 (b) Is the Urban Services Department in constant liaison with any other departments on this matter? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:· The Department is concerned with nuisances caused by dogs fouling pavements and streets whether or not they are on a leash. As I said in reply to a question asked on this subject at the Council meeting last February, this nuisance is dealt with as far as possible by beat sweepers and the offensive matter is disposed of in the normal way. Similar nuisances may be caused by dogs in public pleasure grounds and at bathing beaches, but in these cases there is provision to deal with them in the Pleasure Grounds By-laws, 1960 and in the Bathing Beach By-laws, 1960. These provisions apply, however, to persons in charge of dogs. In the case of stray dogs, I think that it is easy for the staff to chase them away from parks and beaches. If stray dogs become a nuisance in parks, the assistance of the Agriculture and Forestry Department's Dog Catching Units is sought by the department with a view to rounding them up. Elsewhere, the Police and members of the public make frequent direct calls on the services of these units. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, how many departments are involved in regard to nuisances caused by dogs, apart from the Urban Council and Urban Services Department? CHAIRMAN:-Sir, as I explained, the Agriculture and Forestry Department is concerned with the impounding of stray dogs and the Police also play a part. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- -Am I correct in interpreting from your first paragraph that this Council is concerned only with the fouling of pave- ments and streets by dogs and in no other circumstances? CHAIRMAN: ---That, Sir, is my understanding of the position. This Council is concerned with the sanitary side. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-What happens, Mr. Chairman, when a stray dog barks at or tries to intimidate a child? Which department is concerned with that type of nuisance? CHAIRMAN:-May I suggest the Police, Sir. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, if a member of the Urban Services Department staff should witness a stray dog barking at or intimidating a child, all he has to do is to put up his hands and say- "not my business, call for the Police"?

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Page 58 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

recovering. What would you charge, for example, for oiling a stagnant pool?

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, has any estimate of the cost been made by the Department in terms of manpower, in terms of effort and departmental management expenses?

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-AS I said in my reply, only one case has been reported this year.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I think that in cases like this a charge should be made, bearing in mind that no rates are paid in respect of new premises. May I suggest, Sir, that this matter be gone into further by the Department?

CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir. I would point out that where relatively major work is involved, for example, the clearance of blocked drains, charges are usually recovered, but in the case of the nuisances that have been referred to-rats, mosquitoes and flies-the cost of the work is very small, and it is not considered to be worth recovering. However, I would certainly be willing to look into the matter and let you have more detailed information about it.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to disagree with you, because on occasion when my own house has been infested with mos- quitoes and I call on the Department's assistance, they do a tremendous- ly good job. I consider it a major effort.

DR. LEE:-For you. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I will let that pass as it comes from the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.

MR. WATSON: -Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? Will this be after or before Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has been summonsed for breeding mosquitoes? (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, whenever complaints have emanated from me, apparently the infestation is outside or nearby.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-

Will the Chairman please state:

(a) To what extent stray dogs and privately-owned dogs roaming the streets without a leash are considered by the Urban Services Department as a nuisance to members of the public?

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) Is the Urban Services Department in constant liaison with

any other departments on this matter?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:·

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, how many departments are involved in regard to nuisances caused by dogs, apart from the Urban Council and Urban Services Department?

CHAIRMAN:-Sir, as I explained, the Agriculture and Forestry Department is concerned with the impounding of stray dogs and the Police also play a part.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- -Am I correct in interpreting from your first paragraph that this Council is concerned only with the fouling of pave- ments and streets by dogs and in no other circumstances?

CHAIRMAN: ---That, Sir, is my understanding of the position. This Council is concerned with the sanitary side.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-What happens, Mr. Chairman, when a stray dog barks at or tries to intimidate a child? Which department is concerned with that type of nuisance?

CHAIRMAN:-May I suggest the Police, Sir. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, if a member of the Urban Services Department staff should witness a stray dog barking at or intimidating a child, all he has to do is to put up his hands and say- "not my business, call for the Police"?

1964 — Page 58

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