Police have seized 126 kittens and puppies from expensive breeds worth thousands of dollars being trafficked by speedboat into Hong Kong from mainland China in a smuggling operation.
Officers found the pets – crammed into carriers – in a speedboat carrying the animals to Hong Kong.
Police said the trafficker had managed to outrun them but abandoned his boat when he made land at Lau Fau Shan in Hong Kong’s New Territories.
On board they found pet carriers crammed into every space with dozens of cats and dogs, many of them dehydrated and distressed.
Officials say 84 kittens and 42 puppies had been crammed into just 46 crates after the nighttime chase on Sunday, 7th August.
Acting chief inspector Wong Shun-wai said: “The pets were found crammed into the 46 crates and some of them had shown signs of dehydration.”
(HongKong Police/AsiaWire)
He added that the animals were now in the care of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
The police believe the pets were to be sold to local pet shops in Hong Kong.
All of them were reportedly expensive breeds of cats and dogs, with each animal worth thousands of dollars.
They added that they believe that an organised crime gang was behind the smuggling attempt and that their investigation is ongoing.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: William McGee, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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