Hong Kong police have taken action against a Mercedes-Benz driver involved in a tragic hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a stray cat in the New Territories.
The incident, which occurred on Yuen Long’s Shan Pui Ho East Road, was reported by a concerned villager who discovered the deceased cat around 8:30 am. Initial investigations, prompted by dashcam footage from another vehicle, revealed that a Mercedes-Benz had struck the cat shortly after 2:30 am on Wednesday.
A video circulating online depicted the driver and a passenger exiting the vehicle after hitting the cat, inspecting the scene briefly, and then proceeding to make a U-turn, tragically hitting the animal again as they departed.
Following inquiries, the car’s owner informed police that her husband had been driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. Subsequently, a 29-year-old man surrendered to police at 11:40 pm on Thursday and was subsequently arrested.
According to sources close to the case, the driver claimed not to have seen the cat due to the late hour and the dimly lit cul-de-sac where the incident occurred. The vehicle has since been impounded for further examination.
The suspect faces charges of careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and failing to report the incident to authorities. He was released on bail around noon on Friday pending further investigation, with instructions to report back to police next month.
The New Territories North traffic unit is overseeing the ongoing investigation into this regrettable incident, which has sparked significant public outcry over animal welfare and road safety concerns in Hong Kong.
