HK dog breed checks shouldn't rely on DNA: SPCA - RTHK Apps A A A 繁 简 Eng Menu News Homepage Latest News Video Gallery News Programmes Photo Gallery News Bulletins News Archive Send To RTHK News Error News Archive Live Video News Search 2025 2026 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Latest News Local Greater China World News Finance Sport News Bulletins Photo Gallery Video Gallery Can search within past 12 months Home HK dog breed checks shouldn't rely on DNA: SPCA 2026-09-03 HKT 12:57 Share this story The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the goal is to reassure the public about the existing framework and prevent an overreaction to recent unfortunate events. File photo: RTHK SPCA's Fiona Woodhouse speaks on RTHK's Backchat programme The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said Hong Kong's restricted-breed law allows for dog confiscation based on visual traits, though owners are able to appeal classifications to a review panel. Speaking on RTHK's Backchat programme on Thursday, Fiona Woodhouse, deputy director (welfare) at the SPCA, said the government's classification procedure relies on observable characteristics – rather than DNA testing – to identify restricted breeds. This comes after the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on Wednesday dismissed a claim that its officers would label a canine as a fighting dog based merely on a quick observation. Addressing the methodology, Woodhouse acknowledged the limitations of genetic testing and pointed to the safeguards built into the current system. "DNA is a little bit more problematic. Characteristics have been used globally in some jurisdictions. And obviously, there are still checks and balances there in that you can appeal against a classification by the government officer, and that will then go to a board that then assesses in a framework," she said. On enforcement, Woodhouse confirm