Harsh Treatment of Stray Dogs in Hangzhou Sparks International Outrage
The way the authorities in Hangzhou, in the Zhejiang province of China, cracked down on stray dogs has sparked international outrage after footage showing officials beating the dogs to death and drowning the poor creatures landed online.
Strict new pet ownership rules imposed in Hangzhou: Pet owners face hefty fines
The harsh treatment of the stray dogs come as the city imposes strict new rules for pet owners. Under the new regulations, pet owners are only allowed to walk their dogs before 7am and after 7pm. Pet owners must clean up after their dogs, always keep the dogs leashed, and keep out of busy public places like markets or parks.
According to the local press, the Hangzhou city government has also made owning the following 34 breeds of dogs illegal:
List of 34 illegal dog breeds in Hangzhou raises concerns
“Tibetan Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Borzoi, Bull Terrier, English Mastiff, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Afghan Hound, Pointer, Weimaraner, Bloodhound, Basenji, Bulldog, Akita, Newfoundland, Bedlington Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Irish Setter, Greyhound, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Dobermann, Belgian Shepherd, Boxer, Chinese Rural Dog, and any mixed breeds of the aforementioned.”
Police conduct door-to-door checks to enforce pet registration: Unregistered dogs face severe penalties
Police are presently going door-to-door to check whether pet dogs are registered. Those who do not follow the new rules will receive a fine of up to USD $144, besides possibly having their pet license potentially revoked. Those who keep unlicensed dogs may have their dogs taken away and face a USD $1,440 fine, if caught.
The strict Hangzhou pet ownership regulations and the treatment of stray dogs have raised serious concerns, leading to an international outcry.