(CN) Please stop the dog massacre

[Guest guest]

Dear President Hu Jintao,

 

I am shocked and outraged to learn that the Chongging authorities will be

confiscating and killing dogs again. I would like to request that you

urgently address this matter by significantly reducing the registration fees

for dogs, whilst working in conjunction with animal welfare groups, like the

Animals Asia Foundation, to educate the public about responsible pet

ownership.

 

The existing registration fee per dog and subsequent annual renewal fee, is

simply beyond the means of most citizens in Chongging resulting in citizens

keeping their beloved dogs illegally, and often too frightened to seek

outside help to vaccinate or de-sex them.

 

Scientific studies throughout the world have shown that keeping companion

animals gives incredible mental and physical health benefits. Pet owners are

proven to live longer and are more happy, balanced people than non-pet

owners.

 

With just over 150 million pet dogs throughout China, pet ownership is

booming and it is vital that you recognise pets play an increasingly crucial

role in today's society. It is not possible for Chongging to achieve the

status of a modern city with such a barbaric and unrealistic attitude

towards animals. There are already numerous humane solutions to ensure that

dogs and people can co-exist peacefully and safely in the modern world and

thus there is no excuse for the current brutal measures being taken against

dogs and their devastated owners.

 

I implore you to immediately cease these cruel measures and introduce public

education initiatives to ensure that dogs are treated with the respect that

they deserve, so that China is in line with international standards,

especially with regard to the upcoming Olympic Games taking place in China.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

David Wong Kai Yan,

Animal Rights Activist, Hong Kong