[轉載]
香港愛護動物協會極度關注偷運西藏獒犬進入本港境內問題
香港愛護動物協會對於近期有報章報導西藏獒犬偷運進入本港境內，以及飼養西藏獒犬成風，深表關注，而這風氣對公眾安全及動物福利均構成危險。
多世紀前，西藏的遊牧民族繁殖藏獒作為守護犬，用作看守家畜。由於工作需要，牧民的選擇性繁殖令這犬種普遍不適合在香港這人口稠密的城市，居住細小空間家居當作寵物犬飼養。
香港愛護動物協會福利部副總監侯安娜醫生表示：『這犬種多年來經選擇性繁殖作為看守犬，牠們存有防衛陌生人及動物的行為特徵，有可能產生不能預測的攻擊行為。加上牠們體型龐大，對公眾及動物安全絕對足以構成危險。藏獒這犬種較少與人相處，仍保留部份犬隻族群行為，若由欠缺對狗隻心理、行為及培訓具有認識的主人飼養，有可能產生嚴重的行為問題。』
香港愛護動物協會檢核部總監何子棠指出：『這龐然巨物絕對不適合在香港飼養。把這體型巨大的犬隻困養在細小的單位甚至籠子內飼養絕對是非常殘酷的事情，而這情況我們檢核部人員婁見不鮮。』
典型香港家庭不善於處理犬隻行為問題，會把衍生行為問題的犬隻單獨困養，鮮有再讓牠與家庭成員接觸，而這樣的處理只會令問題變得更壞。一旦主人對藏獒失去興趣或者狗隻太難於處理，照顧狗隻的責任往往轉嫁到家務助理身上。
香港愛護動物協會首席獸醫桂珍醫生指示：『藏獒厚厚的毛髮本來是為了抵禦西藏的惡劣天氣。本港悶熱潮濕氣候絕不適宜牠們生活。欠缺充足的運動，加上沒有給予適當培訓，此犬種可以產生攻擊行為，對社區構成危險。』
不幸地，藏獒近期成為熱門話題亦意味著繁殖業界有可能將帶遺傳疾病及兇猛性情等不良特徵，在近親繁殖情況下保留並且強化。內地暫欠規管的犬隻繁殖及健康計劃，更令風險倍增。
近年本港將飼養藏獒視為身份象徵。狗主沒有經過周詳考慮，對如何正確地培訓及管教此犬種沒有足夠認識，沒有充分考慮及顧及犬隻本身的福利問題，正隨著潮流風氣快速地在擴散。
最後，偷運入境對本港帶來極大風險。這些偷運入境的動物完全未經檢疫，有可能將狂犬病等能致命疾病帶進本港，對市民健康構成極大危害，亦嚴重影響動物福利。
香港愛護動物協會呼籲市民考慮到飼養藏獒的責任及所涉及的專業知識。藏獒絕對不適宜當作寵物犬飼養。本會促請政府加強監管，以堵截偷運入境情況，確保市民健康及動物福利得到保障。
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(Original copy of the Press Release)
SPCA (HK) Deeply Concern On the Smuggling of Tibetan Mastiff
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) [SPCA (HK)] is deeply concerned with the reports of a growing trend in the keeping of Tibetan Mastiffs as pets, in particular, the smuggling of these dogs into Hong Kong from the Shenzhen pet market. It present issues of both public safety and animal welfare.
Tibetan mastiffs have been bred over many centuries to be a guard dog for nomadic Tibetan herdsmen and their livestock – the traits selected for over the centuries make this dog generally not suitable for being kept as a pet in Hong Kong with its densely populated urban environment where most people live in small high rise apartments.
“The dogs have been bred over the years to be guardians and defensive against strangers (both animals and humans) and can be unpredictable and aggressive which when combined with their size can make them a risk to public and animal health if problems develop,” says Dr. Fiona Woodhouse, Deputy Director, Welfare Services at the SPCA (HK). “They are also a relatively primitive breed, retaining some pack behaviours. This means that this breed has certain characteristics that if owned by someone without the knowledge, experience and skills in terms of dog psychology, behaviour and training, is at risk of developing severe behavioural problems.”
“The size of this breed of dog alone is utterly not suitable for Hong Kong where space is a big problem. It is cruel to have these dogs continually confined or kept small cages – something we encounter frequently.” says Tony Ho, SPCA’s Chief Officer Inspectorate.
In a typical Hong Kong family scenario this can prove to be very problematic – often problem dogs are isolated with limited contact with various family members– which may worsen the situation. Additionally if owners become disinterested or the dog is too problematic to be properly integrated into the family care / responsibility can be delegated to domestic staff.
The dogs are bred with a thick coat more suited for Tibet’s climate rather than hot, humid Hong Kong. “Tibetan Mastiffs are not native to the Hong Kong climate, and they are not suited to a crowded city like Hong Kong. Without adequate exercise, and not properly trained and looked after, they can be quite aggressive, which poses threat to the community,” says Dr. Jane Gray, Chief Veterinarian at the SPCA (HK).
Unfortunately the recent attention in the dog breeding world on Tibetan Mastiffs means that unwittingly undesirable traits such as hereditary or genetic diseases or problems and aggression may have been selected for in this breed. This is more of a risk in China where there is limited or no regulation of dog breeding and health schemes to screen for hereditary diseases in breeding dogs are none existent.
There is a risk with the Tibetan Mastiff that it may become or is perceived as a “status” or “trophy” dog bought (and smuggled) on impulse and then raised in an environment by owners who are not equipped (or have the resources) to properly train, socialize and control the dog as well as meeting its other needs in terms of welfare.
Last but not least, the smuggling of pet animals into Hong Kong poses huge threats to Hong Kong. These smuggled animals have not gone through proper Quarantine. Diseases, including Rabies that can cause death in humans, can be brought into Hong Kong thus poses huge threat to human health as well as poor welfare for the animals.
SPCA (HK) asks Hong Kong people to think of the implications responsibility involved, and expertise involved in keeping these dogs. This breed should not be considered as a pet in Hong Kong. We urge the Government to step up measures to stop all smuggling activities into Hong Kong to safeguard public health and animal welfare.
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