In February 2025, suspected rat poison bait was repeatedly found at and around Cherry Street Rest Garden pet-inclusive park in Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong. HK01 reported that on February 23 at about 5 p.m., police again received a report that many blue pills were on the ground; officers counted more than 100 suspected rat poison pellets and classified the case as cruelty to animals. Police later arrested a 72-year-old local man surnamed Wong, charged him with two counts of attempted cruelty to animals, and on August 27, 2025, he pleaded guilty and received a 14-day jail sentence suspended for two years.

Blue pellets repeatedly appeared in a pet park

Cherry Street Rest Garden in Tai Kok Tsui is a pet-inclusive park, a public place where nearby residents should be able to walk dogs without fearing hidden poison. HK01 reported that from early February 2025, staff of relevant departments made repeated reports that suspected rat poison bait had been placed in the park.

At about 5 p.m. on February 23, police again received a report that many blue pills were scattered on the ground. Officers counted more than 100 suspected rat poison pellets. Plainclothes officers questioned security staff and reviewed CCTV footage. Dog owners said they could only stay more alert and keep leashes tight to prevent pets from sniffing or eating the pellets.

From cruelty case to arrest, prosecution and guilty plea

The case was initially classified as cruelty to animals and followed up by the Mong Kok District crime investigation team. Later reports said police reviewed CCTV footage and arrested a 72-year-old local man surnamed Wong in Mong Kok on the night of February 23 on suspicion of cruelty to animals.

On June 25, after further investigation and legal advice, the man was charged with two counts of attempted cruelty to animals. On.cc reported that the charges alleged he unreasonably placed rat poison at Cherry Street Rest Garden on February 1 and February 23, attempting to cause unnecessary suffering to animals, namely dogs dying after ingesting poison.

No injured animal does not mean no malice or danger

HK01 later reported that police investigation found no animal had been injured in this case. That should be recorded. But the absence of actual injury or death does not make the conduct minor. Placing poison in a pet activity area spreads uncontrollable danger to every passing dog and to every person caring for them.

The cruelty of public-space poisoning is often hidden under grass, flower beds or benches. Dogs cannot know what blue pellets mean, and owners cannot always discover every danger before their animals do. Precisely because this conduct is concealed and random, it deserves clear record and condemnation.

After sentencing, the warning still matters

On August 27, 2025, the case was handled at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts. HK01 reported that the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted cruelty to animals and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, suspended for two years. Police strongly condemned attempts to harm animals and said they would continue working with stakeholders and the public through the Animal Watchers Programme.

This archive records the case not because it caused the most deaths, but because it shows another typical pattern of harm: using public space and animals' inability to identify poison to place the risk on innocent lives. Public reports say no animal was harmed this time. That is precisely why the near-miss should still be remembered.

Timeline

• February 1 to 23, 2025: Relevant department staff made repeated reports about suspected rat poison bait placed in the Cherry Street park.
• About 5 p.m., February 23, 2025: Police again received a report; more than 100 suspected rat poison pellets were found on the ground.
• Evening of February 23, 2025: Police arrested a 72-year-old local man surnamed Wong in Mong Kok.
• June 25, 2025: Police charged the man with two counts of attempted cruelty to animals.
• August 27, 2025: The defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Public Sources

• HK01: more than 100 suspected rat poison pellets found at Tai Kok Tsui pet park
• HK01: elderly man charged with attempted cruelty to animals
• HK01: elderly man pleaded guilty; police condemned the conduct
• on.cc: elderly man remanded after pet park rat poison case