(CN - HKG) Pet groups in talks on housing ban

[Guest guest]

South China Morning Post

Tuesday, August 12, 2003

http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZN6PI67JD.html

by MARCAL JOANILHO

 

Proposals for relaxing the controversial ban on pets in public

housing were presented to the government yesterday.

 

Animal welfare groups had a two-hour meeting with Leung Chin-man,

Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands.

 

The talks were described as positive by Pauline Taylor, spokeswoman

for the Coalition of People Concerned About Pets in Housing Estates. The

door had been opened for pet-lovers on housing estates to keep their

companions, she said.

 

Dr Taylor, who is also the deputy executive director of the Society

for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said Mr Leung had promised to study

the proposals, which include relaxing the demerit points system for hygiene

abuses.

 

The Housing Authority bowed to public pressure by granting a two-month

grace period before enforcing the demerit points scheme, which originally

was to have come into force on August 1. The scheme was introduced to

improve hygiene after the Sars outbreak.

 

The two parties agreed to meet again within two weeks.