2-3-2024 (HONG KONG) Authorities arrested five individuals at an unlicensed eatery in Hong Kong, suspected of serving cat and dog meat. The establishment, operating from a flat in Mong Kok, was raided by multiple agencies, leading to the confiscation of 35kg of frozen meat and the discovery of Vietnamese-language menus.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on March 1, the confiscated meat samples will undergo testing to determine their animal origins. In addition to the meat, evidence such as menus, cooking utensils, and business records were seized, as reported by media outlet The Standard.
Among the five arrested, four were asylum seekers facing charges related to violating immigration laws, which prohibit them from working. They also face charges of animal cruelty. Slaughtering and selling the meat of dogs and cats are strictly prohibited in Hong Kong, with potential penalties of up to six months in prison and a maximum fine of HK$5,000 (S$860).
One of the arrested individuals, a 50-year-old asylum seeker, is alleged to have operated the unlicensed restaurant for six months without a permit, reportedly serving dishes prepared with suspected dog and cat meat in the flat. The raid also led to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy and two other asylum seekers accused of serving these prohibited dishes at the premises.
Residents in the building were reportedly unaware of the restaurant’s existence, with more than 10 individuals stating they had no knowledge of its operations. A witness mentioned seeing people entering and leaving the flat but did not observe anything suspicious.
The fifth person arrested, a 33-year-old man, was an illegal immigrant discovered at the flat during the raid. He allegedly entered mainland China hidden in a truck before making his way to Hong Kong by boat.
