Not a dog’s life for locals or pets in this community
Print Edition
WITH a city-wide campaign against irresponsible dog-raising behavior in full swing, canines and their owners in Zhoujiaqiao area of Changning District have been tamed in a unique manner.
For example, when a new dog owner moves into Shanghai Huacheng community in Zhoujiaqiao, a neighbor visits him or her, armed with community dog-raising rules and a “road map” for pet walking in the neighborhood.
While dog feces and people being hurt by unleashed dogs are a nuisance in many local neighborhoods, Wang Rongde, head of the “Pets’ Club” — a civil initiative of dog owners in Huacheng — said they don’t have such problems. “We have watchful eyes and community spirit,” Wang said.
Zhoujiaqiao area officials said all of its 21 neighborhoods, including Huacheng, have such an organization in place.
In Huacheng, a team of supervisors takes random trips around the neighborhood to remind dog owners of the rules — no walking dogs in the community square or children’s playground and ensure pets are on leash and wear a muzzle during peak commuting hours.
“We have recorded significantly fewer cases of trouble caused by dogs since we started the action 11 years ago, and pet owners communicate with each other better as they walk their dogs down the same road, avoiding the most crowded places in the neighborhood,” Wang said.
It’s estimated that there are about 100 pet dogs among the 1,000-plus households in the neighborhood, while Zhoujiaqiao is home to about 1,000 pet dogs.
Unlike Huacheng, most similar organizations in the area involve mostly government efforts and few residents. In some neighborhoods, dog owners are still not ready to play by the rules.
“It takes time and also requires a group of responsible people to instill the idea among pet lovers that other people’s needs have to be considered while raising dogs,” Gan Yurong, an official, said referring to efforts by the Zhoujiaqiao neighborhood committee, including regular community talks on the issue over many years.
But “civil initiatives are still the best solution,” she said.
The government supports community organizations with funds for publicity and for hosting pet-raising events. Some clubs have even managed to attract sponsors from local businesses.
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