Hong Kong to strengthen police coordination in animal abuse cases

Hong Kong’s conservation officers will step up coordination with police to carry out joint operations to enter private premises when investigating suspected animal abuse, following an ombudsman’s report that found existing procedures ineffective.A lawmaker on Friday also backed strengthening collaboration rather than granting Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) staff the power to enter flats, noting that investigative expertise rests with police.“With cases where there is a higher risk and a possibility of animal abuse, in the future, we will seek the assistance of police and request their support in carrying out a joint operation to enter premises,” said Jackie Yip Yin, an assistant director of the department.