As Hong Kong authorities called for hamsters to be put down as part of their measures to deal with the current pandemic situation, they have also said that people who try to stop it from happening or provide shelter for abandoned hamsters will be dealt with.
Authorities had earlier ordered 2,000 hamsters from dozens pet shops to be put to sleep after they traced a outbreak to a worker working at one of these pet shops.
Subsequently, 11 hamsters had tested positive for the virus.
Thousands offer to house hamsters
People numbering the thousands in a public outcry against the leaders and pandemic advisors of Hong Kong have offered to adopt and house the unwanted hamsters, something which Carrie Lam, leader of Hong Kong deemed as irrational behaviour.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), has warned the use of the law against people who attempt to save these hamsters.
They have also advised people not to kiss their pets.
Animals humanely dispatched
The Hong Kong government also said that the hamsters are dispatched humanely while calling for its people to stay united in the fight against the virus.
They also mentioned that they will not take chances with the virus.
At the moment, Hong Kong remains one of the cities who are aiming for ‘zero Covid’ and have many restrictions such as closing of restaurants at 6pm and disrupting services in their major hubs and air travel.
They have also been testing animals regularly such as chinchillas and rabbits and said that only the hamsters tested positive.
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