The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has confirmed through DNA tests that a shop in Yau Ma Tei had been selling cat flesh.
It seized suspected cat and dog meat from the frozen food store last Thursday, and said in a Tuesday night statement that evidence was being collected for a possible prosecution following a local media report.
“It is in breach of law to sell, eat or possess dog or cat flesh. The AFCD will certainly take stringent enforcement action. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and six months’ imprisonment,” an AFCD spokesperson said.
An HK01 report published last Thursday revealed that the store, located on Reclamation Street, had labelled some frozen food items as “M meat” and “G meat,” both of which were sold at HK$100 a catty. A catty is a measurement traditionally used for food that is equivalent to about 600 grams.
When asked by reporters posing as customers what the products were, a person who worked at the shop said “M meat” was cat and “G meat” was dog – referring to the Cantonese words.
The price of the suspected cat and dog meat was close to frozen cooked beef sold at supermarkets.
Eating dogs and cats has been outlawed in Hong Kong since 1950. Under the Dogs and Cats Regulations.
The AFCD said on Tuesday that it would collaborate with Customs and “step up surveillance, including online surveillance, inspection and operation.” It also vowed to strengthen public education.
Additional reporting: Peter Lee.
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