Dog owners bare teeth over ban on pets
Source: Xinhua |
July 27, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BEIJING has stepped up its enforcement of a ban on large, aggressive dogs, sparking debate over the dimensions and breeds covered and owners' responsibilities for their pets.
The capital issued the regulations on dog ownership back in 2003, but since last month, local authorities have been implementing them more strictly.
The regulations ban breeds taller than 35 centimeters from eight key districts and densely populated rural areas.
And each household in these areas is allowed just one dog.
This follows a spate of dog attacks and a number of rabies-related deaths.
As a result, dog owner Li Xiangjie now must travel from her urban neighborhood and walk her Samoyed at dawn or late at night to avoid the dog being impounded by police, as it falls outside permitted dimensions.
Li questions the criteria used. "Some dogs under 35cm are likely to be aggressive while some large breeds - such as Samoyed and Husky - are very docile," she said.
Animal experts agree that a dog's size needn't define its temperament.
"The viciousness of a dog should be judged according to breed instead of height. Using height as a decisive factor is not reasonable," said Shen Ruihong, head of the Beijing Kennel Club.
However, many Beijing residents support the ban.
"The population density of Beijing is high. Usually, large dogs are more aggressive," said local Wang Xijun.
Some animal welfare organizations have called for a more scientific solution to regulating dog ownership.
Tian Haiyan, director of the Beijing Guanshang Animal Hospital, recommends that the government should commission animal hospitals or animal training centers to conduct training schemes.
Trained dogs could be awarded with certificates which determine their suitability to breed. If these dogs attack in future, the organizations would be held accountable.
"Direct punishment of dogs does not solve the problem. Owners should bear responsibility of leashing or using muzzles for their dogs," said Zheng Zhishan, of the Companion Animal Rescue Program at the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Beijing.
Samoyed owner Li Xiangjie urged Beijing to consider alternatives.
"The government should work out more reasonable legislation or suitable punishments according to the behavior of dog owners," said Li.
The capital issued the regulations on dog ownership back in 2003, but since last month, local authorities have been implementing them more strictly.
The regulations ban breeds taller than 35 centimeters from eight key districts and densely populated rural areas.
And each household in these areas is allowed just one dog.
This follows a spate of dog attacks and a number of rabies-related deaths.
As a result, dog owner Li Xiangjie now must travel from her urban neighborhood and walk her Samoyed at dawn or late at night to avoid the dog being impounded by police, as it falls outside permitted dimensions.
Li questions the criteria used. "Some dogs under 35cm are likely to be aggressive while some large breeds - such as Samoyed and Husky - are very docile," she said.
Animal experts agree that a dog's size needn't define its temperament.
"The viciousness of a dog should be judged according to breed instead of height. Using height as a decisive factor is not reasonable," said Shen Ruihong, head of the Beijing Kennel Club.
However, many Beijing residents support the ban.
"The population density of Beijing is high. Usually, large dogs are more aggressive," said local Wang Xijun.
Some animal welfare organizations have called for a more scientific solution to regulating dog ownership.
Tian Haiyan, director of the Beijing Guanshang Animal Hospital, recommends that the government should commission animal hospitals or animal training centers to conduct training schemes.
Trained dogs could be awarded with certificates which determine their suitability to breed. If these dogs attack in future, the organizations would be held accountable.
"Direct punishment of dogs does not solve the problem. Owners should bear responsibility of leashing or using muzzles for their dogs," said Zheng Zhishan, of the Companion Animal Rescue Program at the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Beijing.
Samoyed owner Li Xiangjie urged Beijing to consider alternatives.
"The government should work out more reasonable legislation or suitable punishments according to the behavior of dog owners," said Li.
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