Beijing bans its residents in nine downtown districts from
raising more than one pet dog and rules out big dogs or those with
aggressive temperaments across the Chinese capital.
Each family in the city's Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu,
Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan districts and Yizhuang
Economy Development Zone is only allowed to have one toy or
non-sporting dog, Star Daily said yesterday.
The regulations are jointly issued by the Beijing Municipal
Public Security Bureau, Administration for Industry and Commerce,
the Bureau of Agriculture and the city's Urban Management
Bureau.
Those who violate the above two rules will face a fine of 5,000
yuan (US$633.71) to 10,000 yuan, according to the regulations.
People living in the outskirt areas of Beijing are not allowed
to walk their dog if it has aggressive temperaments or whose
shoulder height surpasses 35 centimeters.
Otherwise, they will face a fine of 500 yuan to 2,000 yuan.
Beijing will further tighten administration on dog breeds,
trade, dog shows, vets and other related industries. "They should
first get approval from the local epidemic prevention authority and
then register in the corresponding industry and commerce
administration," said the regulation.
This year, Beijing had 550,000 registered dogs, 90,000 more than
last year, according to the city's public security bureau.
The city's urban management bureau has begun a two-month
campaign to remove stray dogs from the capital's streets as
precautions are stepped up against the threat of rabies.
Beijing health authorities are requiring districts and counties
to set up more outpatient clinics to provide rabies vaccinations,
and to raise public awareness of rabies prevention among
residents.
Although no permanent resident of Beijing has contracted rabies,
nine people who contracted rabies in other parts of the country
were brought to Beijing for treatment in local hospitals before
they died.
(Shanghai Daily November 8, 2006)