In the Year of the Dog, China’s Canines Are Having the Worst Luck
November 15, 2006
©Nov 3 2006 Reuters / Lang Lang
By Carly Ikuma
Government officials in China's capital last week started a massive campaign to control alleged dog "overpopulation" within the city limits and stop the spread of zoonotic diseases—particularly rabies, according to media reports. Officials have also stated said that any dog over 35cm (13.8 inches) shoulder height will be confiscated in house-to-house searches, in addition to dogs from households with more than one animal. It is not yet known the fate of taken dogs, but the Chinese government claims only 500 dogs have been impounded (both strays and owned animals) and that these dogs may be adopted out.
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The plan is being passed off as a way to help the people of Beijing avoid dog bites and aggressive animals. However, by suddenly enforcing a one-dog-per-household policy and other ill-considered rules, the Chinese government has again opened itself to a barrage of criticism not unlike what it faced in August, when 50,000 dogs were slaughtered in Southwestern China.
Pet Ownership on the Rise in China
In the last couple decades, pet ownership in China has risen exponentially. The latest campaign has angered thousands of pet owners and sparked an extraordinary round of uncommon protests throughout China.
On Nov. 16, The Humane Society of the United States/Humane Society International sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez, asking him to address this issue as he is currently in China on official business. Given the rapidly growing pet industry in China, we made it clear that it is in the economic interests of the United States to support a culture of animal and pet welfare there.
Culls Draw Protests and Offers of Help for Humane Dog Control
HSI had little notice of these latest culls, as the Chinese government had placed restrictions on media due to the large outpouring of criticism over official actions in August.
However, such restrictions have not kept the news from spreading, and as outrage grows, word is reaching mainstream media outlets all over the globe. Recent Chinese media reports have denied the killing of any dogs, and claim that this latest operation is designed in the best interests of the owners and dogs. While this supposedly non-lethal program could be the result of massive international protest following the August culls, China's lack of attention to animal welfare in the past undermines the credibility of their statements.
Last week, HSI, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the World Society for the Protection of Animals sent a joint letter to the Chairman of the National People's Congress, the Mayor of Beijing and the President of China's Olympic Games Committee (China is hosting the 2008 Olympic Games) reiterating offers of advice and aid in the implementation of humane dog control and responsible pet ownership programs in the country.
RSPCA, WSPA, and HSI contacted Chinese officials many times in the past three months, but received no official response. However, it is our hope that Chinese officials understand our view and will work with us on this issue. If the reports from China are indeed true, there is no better time than now.
http://www.hsus.org/about_us/humane_society_international_hsi/beijing_dog_round_up.html.
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