A 45-year-old man was sentenced to three weeks' immediate imprisonment on June 16 by West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for obstructing an Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) officer in the execution of duty. He was also charged with feeding wild animals at a specified place without a special permit. He was fined $1,000 for this charge.

     The court heard that the AFCD officer was executing his duty at Kam Shan Road within the "places at which the feeding of any wild animal is prohibited" (Feeding Ban Area) under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). The defendant was feeding monkeys on November 26, 2021. The AFCD officer approached the defendant to investigate but the defendant was unco-operative. He tried to drive away and knocked the officer twice with the door of the vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.

     "Obstructing public officers in the execution of duty is inappropriate and also carries serious legal consequences. Members of the public should co-operate with public officers in the execution of their duties," an AFCD spokesman said.

     The spokesman also urged the public not to feed wild animals as it would generate nuisances and public hygiene problems. Any person feeding wild animals in the Feeding Ban Area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 upon conviction.

Ends/Monday, June 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:10

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