(CN) Beijing dog round-up

[Guest guest]

[Electronic Telegraph [international News]

ISSUE 2108 Saturday 3 March 2001

 

Dogs have had their day in Beijing round-up

By David Rennie in Beijing

 

 

POLICE in Beijing have started rounding up 150,000 dogs

in a crackdown on unlicensed pets.

 

Using nets for smaller dogs and grabbing larger breeds

in neck vices, dog-catchers have been striking in parks,

housing estates and alleys across the Chinese capital.

 

The campaign began officially this week in time for the

annual meeting of parliament, when dogs, beggars and

migrant workers are traditionally swept from the

streets. But intensive dog-catching started last month,

just before inspectors arrived to assess the city's bid

for the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

The dog-catchers carry passes that allow them to search

homes, working from lists prepared by the neighbourhood

committees. Many Chinese fear and dislike dogs, and

willingly report unlicensed pets.

 

But the behaviour of some dog-catchers has sparked

protests. An elderly woman in western Beijing had her

dog snatched from her arms, even though she had a

licence. Before her husband could fetch it, the

policeman dashed the dog to the ground, killing it.

Officers had to radio for help after being surrounded by

angry onlookers. Some owners with have sent their pets

to relatives living in the country.

 

Grace Ge Gabriel, director of the International Fund for

Animal Welfare in China, which is involved in the

campaign to ease Beijing's dog laws, suspects police are

mounting a major campaign while they still can. She

said: " This is far bigger than anything we have seen for

some time. Lawmakers are considering a change. This may

be the last chance for the police to collect fines. "

 

In the days of Mao Tse-tung, pets were denounced as

bourgeois, but recently dog ownership has soared. In an

effort to keep numbers down officials have imposed

draconian curbs. A dog licence costs £430 - about five

months wages - plus £9 for " biting insurance " and

renewal costs £170. Dogs must be shorter than 12in, and

may only go outside between 8pm and 8am.