Hong Kong is a modern city with government departments backed by advanced technology to support a spectrum of public services and yet dogs are still indispensable. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Customs and Excise Department, Correctional Services Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Fire Services Department and the Force all make good use of dogs to provide services, with the Force being the first department to set up a dog unit. With careful selection of dog breed and training, dogs of different breeds can perform a variety of policing functions resulting in manpower saving and increase in efficiency. 

 

Different government departments use dogs in different ways. Smaller dogs are mostly for sniff searching. Larger breeds are used for patrol or guard duties. Yet training principle and veterinary care are common to all dog units. Hence representatives of the dog units and AFCD veterinary officers gathered on February 19 in Police Officers' Club for the first time to share experiences.

 

Apart from experience sharing, an AFCD Veterinary Officer brought up case studies of dog injuries and illness while an officer from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals gave a talk on "Animal Care from the Public Perspective". 

 

It is hoped the seminar would open a new chapter of co-operation among various dog units. All the departments will continue to train up their beautiful four-legged friends to serve Hong Kong alongside hi-tech equipment.