(CN) New law ensures pet owners use tight leash

[Guest guest]

(Shanghai Daily)

Updated: 2006-03-04 10:40

China Daily

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-03/04/content_526528.htm

 

Local dog owners have been rushing to buy mouth masks and harnesses

for their pets, despite the steep prices, to ensure the animals don't

scare other people while being taken out.

 

This is being done to comply with the Law of the People's Republic of

China on Security Administration Punishment, which came into effect

on March 1.

 

According to the law, owners will be given an administrative warning

if their pets, mostly dogs, adversely affect the daily lives of other

residents.

 

If the dogs intimidate residents, the owners will be fined between

200 yuan (US$25) and 500 yuan.

 

The law makes it mandatory for dog owners to buy mouth masks even if

their price is much higher than the ones used by human beings.

 

At a Lujiabang Road pet store, mouth masks were priced at 30 yuan to

50 yuan while common ones used by residents were being sold for just

a few yuan in department stores.

 

A dog harness, meanwhile, was going for more than 100 yuan.

 

But despite such high prices, the demand has outstripped supply.

 

A shop assistant said all masks and harnesses at his store were sold

out the day after the law was issued.

 

" If I want to take my dog out, then a harness is a must, " said Shelia

Chen, who owns a 15-kilogram canine named QQ.

 

" I think seniors and children get easily scared by dogs, " she said,

always making it a point to steer clear of those people. " And they

will surely demand compensation. "

 

Joe Zhou, a 25-year-old office worker, welcomed the new law.

 

" I am always scared when I see strange dogs on the streets, " Joe

said. " But if they wear mouth masks, I think its okay because they

won't bite me. "

 

And with the new law, Joe said she believed more dog owners will take

action to control their pets. Local courts have, on occasions,

accepted lawsuits filed by frightened residents.

 

A female surnamed Su filed a suit against her neighbor named Zhang,

claiming that his dog barked at her and scared her. Su said she had

heart disease and the barking and subsequent fears made her

uncomfortable.

 

She had demanded more than 3,000 yuan in medical expenses. The Yangpu

District People's Court rejected Su's demand due to lack of evidence.