Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into an suspected illegal abattoir that is believed to have been used to kill dogs whose meat was sold at a local market, a media report said Tuesday.

The police, government workers and representatives from an animal charity scoured the site of the alleged slaughterhouse found by an animal welfare group in a shabby, single-storey house, the South China Morning Post said.

The Animal Life Guard Action Group said it found choppers, meat knives, air pistol pellets, animal traps, hooks, a wok and bones when it visited the house Sunday.

William Tung, a group member, said three dogs and four puppies were found alive at the house and, although they were in good condition, one of the dogs had a 30-centimetre knife wound.

He said the suspected abattoir had been operating in the winter when dog meat is in demand during cold weather, and operations had recently resumed.

The meat was believed to have been sold to customers who knew it was dog at a market in the Tseung Kwan district of Hong Kong.

'The police take this matter seriously as abuse of animals is a serious criminal offence in Hong Kong, and we will investigate all reports that come to our attention,' a police spokesman said.

People who are found guilty of slaughtering dogs or cats for use as food or to sell their meat are liable to a fine of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($640) and six months in jail.

In addition, people guilty of cruelty to animals face a fine of up to 200,000 Hong Kong dollars and up to three years in prison.