Small Dogs Need a Lead Too: What the AFCD Crackdown Means for You
The AFCD is running special enforcement operations on 30 August and 5–6 September, issuing penalties on the spot with no warning first. And the most expensive misconception out there is that small dogs don't need a lead.
What's happening this week
Two things are being targeted: dogs not on a lead or not under proper control, and dogs of 20 kg or more not held on a lead of 2 m or less.
The misconception that costs the most
Plenty of people have heard that "dogs of 20 kg or more must be on a lead no longer than 2 m", and then reason backwards: if the law only spells out a rule for big dogs, small dogs must be exempt.
That reasoning is wrong.
Two separate rules apply at the same time in Hong Kong — one covers every dog, the other adds a second layer on top for big ones:
| Rule | Applies to | Requirement | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), s.23 AFCD guidance | Every dog, any size | In a public place, on a lead or otherwise under proper control | HK$10,000 fine |
| Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D) Read the regulation | 20 kg and over | Securely held on a lead of 2 m or less | HK$25,000 fine and 3 months' imprisonment |
Your chihuahua was never covered by the second rule. It has always been covered by the first.
It isn't only about the fine
In mid-August, a 60 kg dog was not properly held on a lead on at least two occasions across July and August. One dog was injured and two were killed. The 52-year-old owner was charged with failing to properly control a large dog under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation, with the AFCD following up on further charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance.
That dog is now in AFCD custody. The owner has signed a consent form surrendering it, and it may be put down. (Source: South China Morning Post, 19 August 2026)
That is the worst case. But it isn't hypothetical — it happened last month.
South China Morning Post, 19 August 2026
Your lead is probably the problem
If your dog is 20 kg or more, this is where people get caught:
- A retractable lead extended past 2 m is already an offence, even though your dog is technically "on a lead".
- Even if you reel it in, you can't easily demonstrate at the roadside that it never went beyond 2 m.
And a retractable lead rewards pulling by design: the dog pulls, the lead lengthens, the dog gets to keep going. You're rehearsing the pulling every single day.
What you want is a fixed-length 2 m lead, on a well-fitting harness. 2 m sits inside the legal limit while still giving your dog room to sniff and explore; a 1 m lead looks steadier but really just turns the walk into a straight line, with fewer chances for your dog to make choices with their nose. It's also the right length for training loose leash walking. What to buy and where to get it — see the starter pack list.
If your dog drags you down the pavement on every walk, that's trainable — it isn't their personality.
The six-week loose leash programme →
There is exactly one legal route to off-lead
If you want your big dog off the lead legally in public, there is one way: pass the AFCD's Large Dog Exemption. There's no grey area and no shortcut — pass it and you're legal, don't and you stay on the lead.
- Start with the free five-minute self-assessment to see how far off you are → Free assessment
- Train for the exam → Large Dog Exemption preparation
Three things worth doing this week
- Measure your lead. Handle to clip — how long is it actually? Over 2 m, replace it. Watch out for leads sold as "2 m" that come out slightly longer once the handle is included.
- Weigh your dog. 20 kg is the legal line, not your sense of what counts as a "big dog".
- Check your licence. A separate operation: since June the AFCD has been running random licence and microchip checks in public places, prosecuting without prior warning where there's no valid licence — maximum fine HK$10,000. (Source: South China Morning Post, 1 June 2026)
Quick questions
Are these fines automatic?
No. The figures above are the maximum penalties the law allows; what's actually imposed is decided by a court, case by case. But "maximum" doesn't mean remote — this is a criminal prosecution, not a parking ticket.
What does "under proper control" actually mean?
The law doesn't give a precise definition, and it's ultimately for a court to judge case by case. In practice a lead is the only thing you can easily demonstrate — "my dog is well behaved" won't get you far at the roadside.
What about country parks and dog gardens?
A small number of designated places — dog gardens, for example — do allow off-lead. Check the AFCD's published list rather than relying on what you've heard.
My dog is well behaved and never wanders off.
Not today, they don't. The question is what happens in the three seconds after a fright, a cat, or a loud bang — and those three seconds may be exactly when an officer or another dog is nearby.
My dog is right around 20 kg — which rule applies?
Go and weigh them. If they're anywhere near the line, prepare as though they're over it: a lead of 2 m or less costs nothing, and guessing wrong costs HK$25,000.
Sources
- AFCD special enforcement operations: The Standard, 28 August 2026; licence and microchip checks: South China Morning Post, 1 June 2026
- The 60 kg dog case: South China Morning Post, 19 August 2026
- Legislation and official guidance: AFCD, "Dogs — Proper Control"; Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D)
This is a summary of the law, not legal advice. Current provisions, penalties and exempt locations are as published by the government.