The Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 will come into effect on November 7, requiring drivers to stop the vehicle if they hit any cat or dog.

The Food & Health Bureau said the number of cats and dogs kept by the public was on the rise in recent years, adding that traffic accidents involving injuries or deaths of these animals have occurred from time to time.

To safeguard animal welfare, the amended ordinance requires drivers to stop the vehicle if they hit any cat or dog, so that the injured cats and dogs can receive timely medical treatment. Drivers should ensure that it is safe before stopping, to avoid endangering themselves and other road users.

The Road Traffic Ordinance stipulates that the driver shall stop if an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby injury is caused to animals not in the vehicle. Drivers must also provide particulars, including name and address, to police officers or the one having reasonable grounds for requiring the information.

Otherwise, the driver must report the accident to Police within 24 hours after the incident.

The definition of animal currently covers any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat, and will include cats and dogs after the amended ordinance comes into effect.

A driver failing to stop after an accident is liable to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 12 months, while failing to provide particulars and report to Police within 24 hours is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.