From time to time, newspapers carried coverage of animal cruelty cases, arousing public discussion and concern about animal welfare. In the Force, 26 police officers, who are animal lovers, have taken up the social responsibility of working for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as a Voluntary Pet Inspector (VPI). In fact, animal care services are in great demand, the more, the better. The following stories tell the experience of the three Pet Inspectors.

 

 

Police Constable (PC) Ng Wai-kit from Emergency Unit New Territories South received a call to rescue an injured dog while he was off duty. He arrived at a remote rural area with an SPCA Inspector and found a dying mongrel lying in a marsh. The dog, with eyes showing hopelessness, could hardly move. Feeling great pity for it, PC Ng immediately carried a stretcher on his back and climbed down a steep slope to the muddy marsh with his partner to save the dog.

 

The dog was in poor condition when it was saved, but it showed deep gratitude in its eyes. PC Ng put it on the stretcher carefully and took it to the surface before sending it to a vet clinic. After the rescue, he took pride in his job as a VPI because he not only has broadened his knowledge of animal welfare, relevant legislation and inter-departmental co-operation, but also appreciated the meaning of life.  In addition, he gained great satisfaction from the rescue work.

 

 

Acting Sergeant (SGT) Yam Chi-wai from Police Tactical Unit Headquarters also works as a VPI after work. Once he received a complaint about suspected dog cruelty.  Being a well-trained police officer, he sensed that the complaint might require criminal investigation and collection of evidence. So he advised an SPCA inspector to conduct observation at the site under complaint to gather evidence.

 

The site, full of animal wastes and without supply of food and water, was not suitable for rearing animals at all. Before SGT Yam was an unbearable sight - the dog was skinny with a large festered wound on its back and bare skin due to loss of hair. To SGT Yam, it was certainly a case of animal cruelty.  He, therefore, immediately alerted the police station concerned for follow-up action. Subsequently, the dog owner was charged with the offence of animal cruelty while the feeble dog was sent to SPCA for medical treatment.

 

SGT Yam said he, working as VPI, merely want to save abandoned and abused animals rather than bring the irresponsible pet owners to justice. Touched by the every single animal life he saved, SGT Yam hopes everyone would realise from media coverage of dog abuse cases that pet rearing is a lifelong commitment.

 

 

SGT Lau Tat-ming from Task Force Tseung Kwan O Division, together with his dog, "Eagle", and 120 police volunteers, assisted in organising a charity event - Police Dogs Trial - on November 3, disseminating message of animal care to more than 3,500 spectators.

 

"Eagle" has an extra-ordinary background - an unclaimed dog before being paired with SGT Lau by SPCA for adoption and training. During training, apart from correcting "Eagle's" bad behaviour, SGT Lau also established communication and mutual trust with "Eagle" through various means.

 

After three months of training, "Eagle" eventually won the championship in the competition.  The new page of life "Eagle" has turned underscores the success of the VPI programme as well as the commitment of every police officer to animal welfare.

 

As SGT Lau had told the spectators in the competition, pet owners should remember "respecting life, caring for animals".  He reminds everyone before adopting a pet: "One must consider whether one is capable of taking care of pets for life. This is a lifelong commitment and promise that require great confidence and perseverance."

 

 

In June this year, the Inspectorate Department of SPCA appointed 26 police officers as VPI. They mainly assist SPCA in handling animal cruelty cases, rescuing animals and promoting the message of respecting life. They also share experience of safeguarding animal rights with officers from the SPCA Inspectorate Department.

 

The stories of the three officers not only reflect their love towards animals, but also convey a strong message on animals care to the community.