Defend yourselves, pet owners told

Pet owners must prove their innocence if their pets are injured or die under their care, says lawmaker Roy Kwong Chun-yu.

At a press conference yesterday, Kwong said he is planning to table a private bill to amend animal cruelty laws after several suspects in such cases were let go due to inadequate evidence.

Kwong and solicitor Albert Ho Chun-yan suggested land owners or tenants of places where animals are abused, as well as pet owners, be required to provide evidence showing the animals were not hurt because of their negligence.

Ho said it will not violate the presumption of innocence principle, and that the introduction of the burden of proof on pet owners only aims to fix deficiencies in the existing law.

"If illegal drugs were found in a certain place, the owner of the location also needs to explain. He cannot just stay silent and expect it has nothing to do with him," Ho said.