A 70-year-old man was charged with cruelty to animals after he killed a pigeon by throwing a rock at it in a park in To Kwa Wan on Thursday.
According to police, a staffer from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department witnessed the incident when working in a park on Ma Tau Wai Road near Farm Road on Thursday.
After his shot the old man went near and picked up the pigeon, which was stopped by that staffer. The old man then threw the body of the pigeon away and escaped. Police and officers from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrived at the scene upon receiving the report and found the pigeon dead.
Yesterday police arrested a 70-year-old man surnamed Tang after investigation. Tang told police he is a cleaning worker. Officers also seized clothes Tang was wearing when he committed the crime. Investigation further revealed that Tang had thrown rocks at pigeons on Monday in that park as well. Police are now investigating his motives.
Today Tang was charged with cruelty to animals. Police stressed that animal cruelty is a serious offense and such crime will not be tolerated. They also warned the maximum penalty for animal cruelty carries three-year imprisonment and a HK$200,000 fine upon conviction.
