Information about the rules and regulations surrounding dog ownership in Hong Kong: restricted breeds, dog licences, and where to walk your pet animal...
Dog Licences
Dogs aged over three months should be inoculated against rabies, microchipped and licensed. It is illegal to keep dogs aged over five months without a licence.
Animal Management Centres
To get a licence, owners should take their dogs to any of the following Animal Management Centres (AMCs) for microchipping, vaccination and licensing:
- Animal Management Centre
Tel: 1823 - Hong Kong Animal Management Centre (covers Hong Kong and Outlying Islands)
At: 688 Victoria Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Open: 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30 - Kowloon Animal Management Centre (covers Kowloon peninsula)
At: 102 Sung Wong Toi Road, Tokwawan, Kowloon
Open: 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30 - New Territories South Animal Management Centre (covers Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and some areas of Tai Po)
At: 98 Che Kung Miu Road, Tai Wai, Shatin, New Territories
Open: 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:30 - New Territories North Animal Management Centre (covers Sheung Shui, Fanling, Sha Tau Kok and some areas of Tai Po)
At: 13 Jockey Club Road, Sheung Shui, New Territories
Open: 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:30
All centres are open daily, including Sundays and public holidays. No advance booking is necessary and the whole procedure takes about fifteen minutes. A dog licence is valid for three years and the dog has to be revaccinated against rabies in order to renew the licence.
The licence is not transferable. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) must be advised of any change in ownership or address within five days of the change. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
- For further details from the AFCD: Click here
Restricted Breeds
There are restrictions on owning three types of dogs: fighting dogs, known dangerous dogs and large dogs (over 20 Kg).
Fighting dogs
The following breeds, as well as crosses involving any of these types, are classified as fighting dogs:
- Pit Bull terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
- Japanese Tosa
It is an offence to possess a fighting dog unless it has been neutered. All fighting dogs must be identified with a special collar at all times. The import and breeding of fighting dogs is illegal. When such dogs are in a public place, including the common parts of buildings such as lifts and lobbies, they must be on a leash not exceeding 1.5 metres in length and fitted securely with a muzzle.
Known dangerous dogs
If a dog attacks and causes serious injury to a person or domestic animal in the absence of provocation of any kind, or if it repeatedly attacks or puts people in fear of being attacked, then a magistrate may declare a dog to be a "known dangerous dog".
Controls for known dangerous dogs are essentially the same as those for fighting dogs (they must be neutered and wear a leash, muzzle and identifying collar in public places).
Large dogs
Any dog over 20 Kg in weight must be held on a leash not more thantwo metres in length when in a public place.
Large dogs may be tied in public places on a leash not exceeding 1.5 metres in length provided this does not endanger the public, other animals or the welfare of the dog.
Leashing requirements do not apply to large dogs in country parks and when swimming at sea, providing ample opportunity for owners to exercise their large dogs off leash. In addition, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation can offer exemptions for large dogs that demonstrate in an examination that they can be controlled off leash.
- For further details on the laws: Click here
- To download an exemption examination form: Click here (PDF)
The form should be sent at least three weeks before the scheduled examination by fax, post or in person to:
- New Territories South Animal Management Centre
At: 98 Che Kung Miu Road, Sha Tin, New Territories
Tel: 2694 7649
Fax: 2609 4642 - For further information on the Dangerous Dogs Regulation contact the Citizen's Easy Link (CEL)
Tel: 1823
Pets in public places
There is an on-the-spot fine for dog fouling in public places. Many parks have specific collection bins for dog waste.
No animals are allowed on public transport except guide dogs. They are, however, allowed in taxis, at the driver's discretion and for an additional fee.
Pet parks and dog walking
The Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) manages public parks in the territory; some are open to dogs. Dog-friendly parks include:
- Victoria Peak Garden, Central & Western District
- Central and Western District Promenade, Central &Western District
- Oaklands Avenue Sitting-out Area, Central & WesternDistrict
- Quarry Bay Promenade, Eastern District
- Tung Chung North Park, Islands District
- Wan Po Road Pet Garden, Sai Kung District
- Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park, Sai Kung District
- Butterfly Valley Road Pet Garden, Sham Shui Po District
- Ma On Shan Sai Sha Road Pet Garden, Sha Tin District
- Ap Lei Chau Waterfront Promenade, Southern District
- Tai Hang Drive Sitting Out Area, Wan Chai District
For a full list of the city's dog friendly parks, click here.
- Adopting a Dog
- Dogs
- Animal Organisations
