Senior Veterinary Officer Kenny Ho said two sets of television and radio announcements in the Public Interest had been recently produced and broadcast for this purpose.

"The series aim at promoting responsible pet ownership and advising the public against ill treatment of their pets due to negligence," Ho said, "One must respect the life of animal and think thoroughly whether proper care can be provided to a pet before keeping it."

People should call the police or the department if they see any act of animal cruelty.

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, the maximum penalty for cruelty to animals is a fine of 5,000 HK dollars (645 U.S. dollars) and imprisonment for six months.

A 26-year-old Hong Kong man was sentenced to three months in prison for killing a dog of his friend on Friday. Enditem