Hong Kong, July 26, 2024 - The Hong Kong government has passed an amendment bill that will enforce a ban on feeding pigeons and other wild animals starting August 1, 2024. The new law aims to protect both wildlife and public health.
Even pigeons, which were previously considered domesticated animals, will be included in the prohibition. Violators of the ban may face fines of up to HK$100,000 (around US$12,700) and imprisonment for up to one year.
During a recent Sha Tin District Council meeting, officials from the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department stated that there will be a one-month adaptation period starting from August 1, during which only verbal warnings will be given to offenders. From September 1 onwards, direct fixed penalty tickets of HK$5,000 (around US$635) will be issued without prior verbal warnings.
Council members raised concerns about the enforcement of the ban, particularly regarding pigeons being fed by non-residents or tenants in public housing estates. They also highlighted potential legal gaps, such as offerings left during the Hungry Ghost Festival attracting wild animals.
In response, officials explained that there were 196 cases related to illegal feeding in the past year, with 110 resulting in successful convictions. The remaining cases are still in progress. In 2023, fines ranged from HK$300 to HK$3,000, with an average of around HK$600. The department hopes the new fixed penalty of HK$5,000 will serve as a stronger deterrent.
After the law takes effect, enforcement officers from various government departments will increase patrols in known feeding hotspots. For instances of illegal feeding within private housing estates, the responsibility will lie with the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department.
The authorities aim to facilitate a smooth transition to the new regulations and are allowing a one-month grace period before strictly enforcing the ban on feeding pigeons and other wild animals in Hong Kong.
以下是文章的粵語翻譯:
禁止餵飼鴿子於8月1日生效 當局將容許一個月寬限期
香港，2024年7月26日 - 香港政府已通過修訂條例,將於2024年8月1日起禁止餵飼鴿子及其他野生動物。新法律旨在保護野生動物及公共衛生。
即使之前被視為家養動物的鴿子,也將包括在禁令之內。違反禁令者可能會面臨高達10萬港元(約12,700美元)的罰款及最長一年的監禁。
在最近於沙田區議會的會議上,漁農自然護理署的官員表示,將從8月1日起實施一個月的適應期,在此期間只會對違規者發出口頭警告。從9月1日起,將不再發出口頭警告,直接開出5,000港元(約635美元)的定額罰款。
區議會成員提出了有關禁令執行的關注,特別是公共房屋住戶或非住戶餵飼鴿子的情況。他們亦突出了一些潛在的法律漏洞,例如鬼月期間供奉所吸引的野生動物。
官員回應表示,在過去一年中,有196宗非法餵飼個案,其中110宗已成功定罪,其餘個案仍在進行中。在2023年,罰款範圍從300港元到3,000港元不等,平均約600港元。該部門希望新的5,000港元定額罰款能起到更強的威嚇作用。
生效後,來自不同政府部門的執法人員將增加在已知熱點的巡查。對於私人屋苑內的非法餵飼個案,責任將由漁農自然護理署承擔。
當局旨在促進向新規例的順利過渡,並將容許一個月的寬限期,然後才嚴格執行禁止餵飼鴿子和其他野生動物的禁令。
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