Thurs 2nd Nov: Can this really be true?

Doing this kind of work is physically and mentally draining, and those of us who are involved in animal rescue do it for one reason and one reason alone, to help those in need.  Nobody does it for financial reward or some kind of glory, and there are many occasions when throwing in the towel seems like the best idea ever.

Just yesterday I wrote that a hundred and one dogs had been rescued from an illegal breeder, many of whom were in a life-threatening condition and had been de-barked.  They were all living in an inhumane and disgusting environment, and to know that they had a chance of a new and better life was at least something.  Today I read on Facebook that thirty four of these dogs had been returned to the breeder's friend, and although the post was in Chinese and I need to have the information verified, the comments on the story seem to say the same thing.

If this is in fact true, then I genuinely despair.  This is an appalling decision regardless of any argument, and it should be repealed. I have written to AFCD asking about the case, and also mentioning how depressing and demoralising it is to work every day to do what we can for the dogs, and then to see this.  What happened to Cap139B and all of those promises of new rules and regulations to provide some protection for breeder dogs?  Nothing, that's what.

《動物專訊》愛護動物協會與警方及漁護署於週二舉行聯合行動，在元朗逢吉鄉救出101隻被虐的名種狗，當中以貴婦狗為主，還有史納莎等品種。本以為有關狗狗已逃出生天，但警方回覆證實，原來獲救的狗狗，除愛協救走的45隻、漁護署帶走的20隻狗狗外，警方、漁護署竟然將餘下的狗狗歸還給疑犯的友人。

愛協向本報表示，他們根據警方的指引，取走健康情況最差的33隻狗狗。漁護署要求場主立即改善狗狗情況，包括提供足夠糧食及食水，並安排有人留下照顧狗隻。翌日，愛協與漁護署再到場內了解狗隻情況，惟愛協到達現場後，情況並無改善。愛協再將當中有12隻情況也很差的狗狗立即帶走，愛協總共帶走45隻。愛協指餘下的狗隻由漁護署負責，但究竟漁護署走帶多少隻狗狗，愛協則不清楚。據知，有關照顧者疑似是場主。

警方回覆指，早前接獲相關機構轉介，指於元朗逢吉鄉有狗隻懷疑曾被殘酷對待。元朗警區刑事調查隊第六隊接手調查案件，並搗破101隻疑被虐待狗隻的繁殖場。警方證實，在三個貨櫃內發現約一百隻狗，其中45隻因健康情況欠佳，已被送往相關機構接受檢查及治療，其餘狗隻則被相關部門或上址負責人的朋友接收。

另外，漁護署回覆指，截至今日(11月2日)下午，本署人員從該地點接收了約20多隻狗隻，並已將該些狗隻帶回新界北動物管理中心。本署人員會繼續配合警方調查。

立法會議員毛孟靜批評，「叫場主自己照顧好D狗 ，這個安排非常不理想。」她很擔心是場主自己拎走「失踪」的狗。

目前該場地的一名四43歲姓王女負責人涉嫌「殘酷對待動物」及「協助及教唆他人違反逗留條件」被捕﹔而另外兩名30歲外籍女子，則懷疑於上址工作，涉嫌「殘酷對待動物」及「違反逗留條件」被捕。三名被捕人士已獲准保釋，須於11月中旬向警方報到。

#香港動物報 #元朗繁殖場 #愛護動物協會 #漁護署 #狗狗

SPCA (HK) 香港愛護動物協會 漁護署監察組 AFCD Watch 漁護署 元朗友

Animal Post (2 November 2017)
SPCA, HKSAR Police, and AFCD’s operation on Tuesday , rescued 101 abused pure
breed dogs, most of them are poodles and schnauzers. We thought the dogs have
been rescued from the abusive situation, but HK police confirmed that out of all the
rescued dogs, SPCA took 45, AFCD took 20 but the rest have been returned to the
suspect’s friends.
SPCA told Animal Post, that according the instruction from HKSAR Police, they took
the 33 which were in the worst condition. AFCD requested the breeding farm
operators to improve the dogs living conditions, including adequate water and food
and make arrangements that someone stay to take care of the dogs. The next day,
SPCA and AFCD visited the breeding farm again and after review, there were no
improvement on the dogs living conditions. SPCA took 12 dogs away, they were in
poor condition. In total SPCA took 45 dogs. SPCA indicated that the rest of the dogs
will be under the responsibility of AFCD, but they are not clear how many dogs were
taken over by AFCD. Source said the caretaker is suspected to be the operator of the
breeding facility.
HKSAR Police reported, they received referral from the relevant organizations, that
at Yuen Long Fung Kit Heung there were suspected dog abuse. The Yuen Long
Police District CID Squad #6 took over the investigation and uncovered the breeding
facility with 101 abused dogs. Police confirmed that in 3 containers they found
about 100 dogs, 45 of them were in very poor health and have been sent to the
relevant organizations for check up and treatment, the rest of the dos were either
sent to relevant organizations or the operator’s friends to take over.
And AFCD replied, until today (2 November) afternoon, our staff took over from the
location 20+ dogs and had taken them to NT North centre. AFCD will work with the
police in the investigation.
Legco councilor Claudia Mo criticized “asking the breeder to take care of the dogs
was far from acceptable”. She was worried the breeder will take away the “lost”
dogs.
Currently, the facility’s 43 years old woman operator Wong was arrested for of
“Suspect Animal Abuse” and “Assist Others to Stay in HK Illegally”; 2 thirty year old
non resident female were charged with the same count of “Suspect Animal Abuse”
and “Illegal Residence”. The 3 arrested were on bail and will report to police mid of
November.

Portia has a front leg  missing

We received a new dog at Ap Lei Chau today, a three-legged spaniel of sorts.  I hadn't known in advance that there was a front leg missing although Iris had spotted it on a photo, but I hope that the fact that the dog is still only five years old and a popular type will mean the lack of one limb won't make a difference to her adoption chances.  I have called her Portia.

The weekend's coming up and the weather is glorious, so I hope to see lots of Tai Po volunteers taking the dogs out for hiking and also many adopters at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.  We have many young puppies hoping to be chosen, as well as a special now-young adult Rafi.  I'll let his current foster talk about him and his story, but this Sunday is the day he has to move on and I know Anne is desperate to find someone to love him, as I am too:

Rafi is a real cuddler

"About half a year ago we had the pleasure of fostering this beautiful soul of a dog named Rafi. About 1 month ago I was contacted by Claudia a long term HKDR volunteer that the adopters wish to return Rafi to HKDR since they struggled to train him and could not handle him. Although I offered my support and HKDR always does, they decided to sent sweet Rafi to a boarding facility with training methods that do more harm than good especially to a dog with a rather timid nature. The adopters failed this very special dog not only by giving him a name that does not suit his nature and he actually did not respond to but as well by not providing him with the attention, training, exercise and love that basically every dog needs. Although my circumstances were not beneficial, it was out of question that I would take him in for a couple of weeks to assess and train him. After only 4 weeks and some rather minor challenges which you would have with any new addition to a pack and a not well trained dog, we have made amazing progress and I cannot understand how anyone could ever give him up. Let me give you a few reasons. Rafi loves to hug his human and when I say hug, I mean he will literally hug you in the most gentle manner once he trusts and loves you. He is very well mannered at home, loves to play with the entire selection of toys as well as with the other members of my pack including dogs and cats, loves crunching ice cubes. Although he is very affectionate and loves cuddles , he is also being good staying on his own and happy with a bone or toy to chew on.
This coming Sunday it's time for me to let go of him since we are expecting a new addition to the family in a few weeks and I have already two dogs and two cats to look after. We don't have the space for a third big dog and with a baby on the way it is something that I cannot handle. I cannot express in words how difficult this is for me as well as my husband. The love we have received from Rafi is beyond what words can describe.
Rafi is in urgent need of a forever home or long term foster that can provide him with the ongoing training and simply appreciate and understand his nature. You will not regret it giving this boy a chance and I will be more than happy to stay involved and provide any guidance if needed.
Love & Peace from Anne, Chris, Stanley, Bella, Kichiro and Momo."