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, rejecting her employer’s argument that she was a volunteer.
District Judge Harold Leong Kwok-on said on Monday that the employment relationship between Kelly Animals Shelter in Lau Fau Shan and the victim had been established despite no contract being signed, noting she was paid, allocated work by staff and did not manage the business or shoulder profits or risks.
The employee was attacked at about 3pm on November 16, 2022, while attempting to herd dogs at the shelter back into their kennels.
She sustained multiple injuries and was taken to Tin Shui Wai Hospital’s accident and emergency department.