The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, today said a fine against the Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome Co. Ltd was imposed according to law and based on the circumstances relating to violation of a particular law.

Ms Chan further explained that the fine was imposed after the review by an independent officer within the city’s judiciary. Such review focused on respectively: the circumstances of the offences; the company’s subjective intention; and the company’s acknowledgement of its wrongdoing.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau had confirmed on Wednesday (9 January) that the Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome had paid a fine of more than 25 million patacas after being prosecuted for abandoning greyhound dogs. The animals were formerly used by the firm for its now-defunct greyhound racing betting concession and are now retired from competition.

The company had failed to relocate approximately 500 greyhounds within the deadline set by the Government. A prosecution filed by the Government confirmed a 50,000-pataca fine for each abandoned dog, an amount stipulated under Macao’s Animal Protection Law.

In the meantime, it had been determined that the Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome was responsible for all expenditure relating to ongoing care of the dogs. As of December 2018, the firm had paid an additional 5 million patacas for such costs.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau – a new body formed in 2019 to succeed the former Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau – would continue work to find new homes for a total of 310 dogs that – as of 9 January – remained in the kennels on the former Canidrome site.

A rehoming programme, coordinated by a local voluntary-sector body – Anima - Society for the Protection of Animals (Macau) – had been proceeding smoothly and it was expected it would be completed in May.

An aggregate of 191 greyhounds had been rehomed during the period from 15 October 2018 to 9 January 2019. Of that number, 180 animals had been sent to the United States; five to Italy; and six had been adopted locally.