Government explains follow-up work after Yut Yuen exits current facilities
The Government reiterated today that Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome Co. Ltd has to move out of its current facilities after the firm’s greyhound racing betting concession expires on Friday (20 July).
The Office of the Government Spokesperson today held a press conference to provide more details on the work that will be carried out by several public departments after the company vacates its current facilities.
Once the existing concession expires on Friday, all buildings within the Canidrome racing track site – as well as the equipment used in dog racing operations – would revert to the Government, according to article 16 of the concession contract, stated the Director of the Financial Services Bureau, Mr Iong Kong Leong, during the joint press conference.
The current facilities used by Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome, in the Fai Chi Kei district, have a total area of around 40,000 square metres, according to the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau. The site would in future serve as a land reserve for public facilities, namely for education, sports, offices for public departments, and service centres for public departments, said the Bureau’s Director, Mr Li Canfeng.
The existing sports facilities at the Canidrome racing track site would be made available to the public every evening after the company’s relocation, said the Director of the Sports Bureau, Mr Pun Weng Kun. Currently, such facilities open to the public only twice a week.
The Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Mr Paulo Martins Chan, said at the press conference that the Government had rejected on 12 July a request by Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome to have its concession extended, including a proposal to amend the concession terms in order for the company to be allowed to broadcast in Macao dog races from elsewhere for betting purposes.
The Government’s decision regarding the 12 July proposal had taken into consideration the growing awareness regarding animal welfare both locally and globally, and had placed great importance on animal wellbeing. The company had so far failed to provide a proposal – in line with the Government’s requirements – for taking care of the greyhound dogs used for dog racing once its current concession expires.
The decision from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau also took into account that the broadcasting of dog races from places outside of Macao for betting purposes would have no positive impact on promoting the city’s economic diversification, and would not contribute to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure.
Regarding a suggestion by Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome to use the current horse racing track site as venue to shelter racing dogs upon the end of its current concession, Mr Chan said that such request should be submitted by the horse racing betting concessionaire, the Macau Horse Race Company Ltd, to the Government.
The Government had not received so far any application from the horse racing betting concessionaire, added Mr Chan.
During the press conference, the acting President of the Administrative Council of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr Lei Wai Nong, urged Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome to uphold its responsibilities regarding the welfare of the approximately 600 greyhound dogs currently under its care.
Should any dogs be abandoned by Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome, the Government would act against the company in accordance to the Animal Protection Law.
The Government had been paying close attention to such matters and had prepared a contingency plan, Mr Lei said. The Government has given its support to a number of dog-adoption events; it has also coordinated with Hong Kong authorities regarding how to simplify inspection and clearance procedures should a Hong Kong resident planned to adopt a racing dog from Macao.
The Labour Affairs Bureau would also continue to provide assistance to Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome’s 129 employees.
The Government had requested on 21 July 2016 the Macao (Yut Yuen) Canidrome to relocate from its current facilities, giving the company a two-year period to consider if it wanted to keep running a dog racing business in Macao.
