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Dr Pauline Taylor on how to be a responsible dog owner

Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian

Our pet dogs are usually warm loving creatures who are always ready to welcome us home. They don’t hold grudges if treated respectfully and are well fed, watered and are allowed to exercise and socially interact with other dogs. I love my own dogs immensely but I never forget their natural instincts and understand my responsibility as a pet parent is to be aware of their predator instincts at all times.

A few weeks ago my beautiful hand reared domestic cat Georgie was sleeping happily in the sunshine under a kayak, when he was attacked by two large off leash adult mongrels, each weighing between 28- 32kg. I was startled by the shouts of “Dog come!” “Dog come!” by the person allegedly in charge of these two dogs.

The control she had over them in this situation was absolutely nil. They had either no ears and were deaf, or ears trained not to listen to hysterical cries to “come” when they were excitedly barking, trying to tear apart my pet cat. Even when they eventually did come out from under the kayak, the ill-fitting neck collar on one dog meant it slipped over the head when the alleged controller tried to leash it up. So in other words two approximately 30kg killers, registered with the government (I have to assume), were on the loose in a small New Territories village having fun tearing apart my cat.

While I accept it’s fairly natural for dogs to try and chase cats and other moving objects considered prey, it is not acceptable to keep dogs that you cannot control in society. We have a social responsibility to each other to maintain harmony and good relations with neighbours, even though we may dislike them and as dog owners, we are by law supposed to control them at all times.

In Hong Kong, we have a Dogs and Cats Ordinance (Cap.167) and Dangerous Dogs Ordinance (Cap.134) that sets rules on how we should behave being keepers of canines. By law under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap.421), we are required to register our dogs vaccinated against Rabies with the Government and we must abide by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap 169).

In other countries, the above dogs wouldn’t be so lucky and walk away from their socially unacceptable crime. They would, for attacking another living creature, be immediately put on “death row” by government officials and their keepers summoned to court.

So please, if you want the “kudos” of owning a dog, learn your responsibility and be responsible for every person you allow to take your dogs out of your property. There is no substitute for good behavior and training. This time it was my cat. Next time it could be a child.

Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

Walkies Explore the wonderful Victoria Peak Gardens with Rex the dog

Want to take a break from your stress at work and spend some valuable time with your lovely pooch? Victoria Peak Gardens is famous for being the former Mountain Lodge site, a residence for the Governor of Hong Kong. In 2010 the residence was renovated into a gorgeous Victorian-style public park. Take a slow walk on the paved pathways, bathe under the sunlight and enjoy your time relaxing on the open green lawn. Make sure

you bring plenty of water and snacks for you and your pooch, perhaps you can have a small picnic under the tree. Don’t forget your camera and capture the spectacular views of Hong Kong Island from multiple angles. After the small journey around the gardens, why not stay and enjoy a nice meal at The peak? It surely is the best way to end this amazing day.

How to get there: Dogs are not allowed on both public buses and the Peak Tram, so drive or take a taxi to The Peak. You can also get to Victoria Peak Gardens by hiking up Mount Austin Road. The gardens are located just 10 minutes away from the peak.

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