Dog owners are having a howl in Hong Kong where a world record has been broken with the help of man's best friend.

Dog owners are having a howl in Hong Kong where a world record has been broken with the help of man's best friend.

These are the record breakers. The record breaking dog training session in Hong Kong's beachfront Stanley district commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The event attracted more than three hundred and fifty participants - smashing the old record of 318.

Some are using the day to point to growing animal-friendliness in the region. Michael Wong, spokesman of SPCA, said, "I'll say Hong Kong is getting there. I wouldn't say it is totally animal friendly yet but I think we have made great improvements over the last 10 years and certainly in the last 90 years, we are a totally different city. And in the next ten years, I am sure people will say Hong Kong is the most animal-friendly place in Asia."

The session consisted of training both for obedience and tricks, and the dogs and their owners seemed to be working hard.

This trick is called "Stationary Marching" - it requires the dogs to lift one of their paws as the owner lifts one of their legs. It might be a little rough, but they seem to handle it well.

Rebecah Rousseau, a participant, said, "Yeah, it's really cool thinking this will be in the Guinness World Records book."

Views towards our fellow creatures seem to be becoming more positive. It's hoped that by cultivating a deeper respect for all life in our communities, we might live in greater peace and harmony. Now that's a tail with a happy ending.