The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) has reiterated that pet owners are only allowed to bring their animals out for medical treatment during the current ‘standstill’ pandemic restriction period.
Macau SAR authorities have ordered the suspension of all commercial and industrial business activities in the city for seven days starting from midnight on 11 July, with the exception of those that maintain the normal operation of the society.
After the announcement, Public Security Police Force (PSP) representative, Lei Tak Fai, underlined yesterday that taking pets out of the house for walks, including for the animals’ basic needs, was not considered an essential activity, and therefore banned under the new regulations.
Those found to be out of their homes for reasons other than to perform one of the activities considered essential for people’s subsistence or to assist relatives in need during this period can in penalties from 240 days fine or up to two years of imprisonment.
The issue has caused some confusion among pet owners concerning if they would be allowed to either take their dog out for a sanitary walk or to the vet.
Shortly after, legislator Ron Lam U Tou revealed that the department has expressed to him that “all dogs that are able to defecate and urinate should stay at home as much as possible” this week, while “those that aren’t able to defecate and urinate at home” would be allowed do it outside in the “shortest possible time and distance”, with the owner then cleaning it and returning home immediately.
In a statement this afternoon, the IAM only clarified that “reasonable travel needs of pet owners to bring their animals out for medical treatments” would be allowed.
“To cooperate with relevant Chief Executive Writ of Instruction, the activities necessary for residents’ basic living needs are maintained and the operation of non-essential commercial activities is suspended,” the IAM added.
“Pet owners are urged to abide by the pandemic prevention guidelines of the health authorities during the process of seeking medical treatments for their animals.”
Macau News Agency contacted the department to ask if it would address the issue of walking animals during the confinement, with a communications representative responding that the statement published was already the department’s response to several inquiries on the matter.
