Cruelty to animals is a serious crime. In accordance with Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap. 169, cruelty to animals is committed if one cruelly beats, kicks, ill-treats, over-rides, over-drives, overloads, tortures, infuriates, or terrifies any animal, or, by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to any animal. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 3 years.
According to the Interpretation of Cap. 169, animal includes any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish or any other vertebrate or invertebrate whether wild or tame.