29th August 2026 – (Hong Kong) Controversy has arisen in Hong Kong after the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department removed an eight-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier, Baku, from his owner’s home for investigation following a complaint from a housing estate resident. According to a report by the Hong Kong Animal Post, the dog’s owner, Mr Lai, explained that officers arrived on 28th August and identified Baku as a fighting breed, stating he was a pit bull terrier, and insisted on immediate removal to the department’s facility. Officials also informed Mr Lai that he would not be allowed to visit Baku until the agency’s veterinary staff could conduct a formal evaluation at the start of the following week.
Mr Lai shared that he adopted Baku four years ago from an animal organisation after the dog had suffered previous abandonment. Although Baku’s dog licence was only registered as a mixed breed at the time of adoption and not listed as a fighting breed, Mr Lai maintains Baku is an American Staffordshire Terrier and rejects the classification made by the authorities. He expressed distress over the sudden removal, emphasising that Baku had never been separated from him before and criticising officials for making their determination without any formal assessment or test.
The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions around breed-specific complaints, with Mr Lai voicing concern over what he regards as unjust discrimination and targeting of certain dogs, suggesting a rise in similar cases due to malicious reporting. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has been contacted for further comment on the matter.