Hong Kong Court Awards Shelter Worker HK$89,000 After Dog Attack

Dog shelter worker awarded HK$89,000 over canine attack despite volunteer claim

A Hong Kong court has awarded more than HK$89,000 (US$11,340) to a worker at a dog shelter who was seriously injured in a canine attack.

The District Court rejected the employer’s argument that the woman was only a volunteer, despite the absence of a signed employment contract.

Court finds employment relationship existed

District Judge Harold Leong Kwok-on said on Monday that an employment relationship had been established between Kelly Animals Shelter in Lau Fau Shan and the victim.

The judge noted that she was paid and allocated work by shelter staff.

He also said she did not manage the business or shoulder its profits or risks, factors that supported the finding that she was an employee rather than a volunteer.

The ruling makes clear that the lack of a formal contract did not, on its own, prevent the court from recognising the employment relationship.

Attack occurred while dogs were being returned to kennels

The employee was attacked at about 3pm on November 16, 2022, while attempting to herd dogs back into their kennels at the shelter.

She sustained multiple injuries in the attack.

She was taken to Tin Shui Wai Hospital’s accident and emergency department for treatment.

The award followed the court’s rejection of the shelter’s claim that the injured worker had been acting only as a volunteer when the incident occurred.

Source: South China Morning Post