Traffic accidents involving animals in Hong Kong surge 11-fold in 4 years

Traffic accidents involving animals in Hong Kong have surged more than 11-fold over the past four years, with advocacy groups attributing it to a wave of pet abandonments and the blurring of urban-rural boundaries caused by large-scale development.

However, authorities do not maintain a district-level breakdown of the figures.

Kent Luk Ka-chit, the founder of Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, said the increase in animals involved in traffic accidents stemmed from the worsening economic situation and urban growth.

“Land resumption for new development, particularly in the Kwu Tung area, combined with the economic downturn, has led to a rise in abandoned pets,” he said.

“This surge in the stray population has, in turn, driven up the number of traffic incidents involving animals.”