Hello all,

I am completely new to this forum but have joined so that you can help me save a dog in Hong Kong. It sounds ridiculous but I am hoping you can advise me.

Tomato is an intact, male German Shepherd and about 5 years old. He has been in contact with humans since birth, is toilet-trained, understands basic commands, lives well with 2 Pekingese dogs and is not aggressive towards humans.
He is scheduled to be taken away and put down in 7 hours.

This dog belongs to a very close friend (who I shall refer to as IL) who has emigrated to Hong Kong and together we know very little about the laws on dogs in that country (but we know as a former colony of the UK, the laws are similar) but we are going to fight for Tomato's life.

IL lives in an area of apartments that allows pet dogs. She walks her dogs (leashed) every night around the estate grounds in the presence of the other inhabitants and their dogs. One particular neighbour owns a chihuahua that consistently barks at Tomato when they are at close proximity but Tomato does not show aggression to the chihuahua. IL told the neighbour that they should avoid each other.

Yesterday on a routine walk, Tomato and the chihuahua met again, the chihuahua acted aggressively and the German Shepherd broke free and bit the chihuahua.
To say "mauled" would be inaccurate. The chihuahua needed stitches and the vetinarian did not consider it to be a serious case. IL offered to pay for the treatment of the chihuahua but the neighbour demanded that IL pay to fly her usual vet over from the USA to HK and pay for any future expenses of the dog, including grooming and other vet visits. IL refused this but still kept her offer to pay for the stitches. The neighbour went away to "negotiate with her family".

Today, IL saw the neighbour walking the chihuahua and inquired about it's health. The neighbour replied "My dog is fine, but your dog is in danger. I called the police and they contacted the dog authorities, I told them that your dog bit me and my dog. They will take your dog away at 7pm to be put down." IL also faces a fine of 1000 pounds.

The neighbour is also pressing charges for the bites that she allegedly received from Tomato (IL claims to have not seen Tomato bite her).

We have contacted the police hotline and ascertained that the case has been moved onto a non-police, government department - namely the "Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department" which deals with animal euthanasia. The bothersome thing is that this department has not contacted IL about the arrangements nor scheduled a visit to assess Tomato and investigate the case, and we are not prepared to let Tomato die for this lax approach.

We are in the process of calling as many dog charities in Hong Kong as possible to gain help and advice. But the ones we have contacted are unable to help as they are run by volunteers with no knowledge of the law.

Many Hong Kong citizens are afraid of big dogs and so will not think twice about helping. The workers at the apartment grounds will not put in a good word for Tomato due to their fear and prejudices even though he has never even so much as barked at them.

Please, if you can help in any way we will be very grateful.

I have personally lived with Tomato before and he is very friendly and non-aggressive. Please help us save him from the spiteful actions of a woman.

HL

Hi i have no advise, i just didn't want to read and run. Welcome to pet forums, i hope you get some advise soon.