In a Facebook post, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said there is currently no evidence that dogs or other companion animals can spread the COVID-19 virus.
"The primary mode of transmission of the virus remains human to human," SPCA added, stressing there is no need for pet owners to surrender their pets. "You are no safer from the virus if you surrender your pet."
Previously, it had been widely reported that a dog in Hong Kong belonging to a COVID-19 patient was tested positive for the virus. SPCA noted that the animal "likely picked up the virus from his or her human companion". It also added that the dog did not display any signs of the disease.