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Five people were arrested in Mong Kok on Thursday following an interdepartmental operation in which authorities seized meat suspected to be the flesh of cats and dogs.

The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) said they had recently received reports of people suspected of selling dog and cat flesh as food on Shanghai Street and conducted a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and police on Thursday.

The AFCD staff seized about 35 kilograms of suspected dog and cat meat sold as food on the premises and is currently undergoing testing with results pending.

The FEHD staff also seized other evidence, such as menus, cooking utensils, business records, etc., and arrested one 50-year-old man with a non-permanent HKID who was running the establishment.

In addition, they later arrested three more Vietnamese people with non-permanent HKIDs who were responsible for delivering the products, along with one more 33-year-old illegal Vietnamese immigrant, who came to visit his friend at the establishment.

They were arrested for cruelty to animals, operating a food establishment without a license, breaching conditions of stay, and illegal entry.

According to the Dogs and Cats Regulations, no person shall slaughter any dog or cat for use as food, whether for mankind or otherwise, and no person shall sell, use or permit the sale or use of the flesh of dogs and cats for food.

Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and six months' imprisonment.

AFCD busts suspected dog and cat flesh restaurant in Mong Kok, arresting five