In response to media reports on the kinds of animals covered by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Cap 374) which came into effect on November 7, 2021, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (March 12) issued the following statement.

     The Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) provides that the driver of a vehicle shall stop if an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby damage is caused to animals not in the vehicle. Drivers are also required to provide particulars, including name and address, to any police officer or any person having reasonable grounds for requiring the information. Otherwise, the driver must report the accident to the Police as soon as possible and in any case no later than 24 hours after the accident.

     The abovementioned Ordinance was amended last year with cats and dogs whether stray or owned, included into the definition of "animal" into the original one covering any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat. It does not cover only owned cats and dogs as reported in some media stories today.

Ends/Saturday, March 12, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:50

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