letter from UK official to Chinese ambassador re dog culling

[Guest guest]

From Peter Davies of WSPA:

Peter Ainsworth, Opposition Shadow Secretary of State for UK's

DEFRA has, this week, sent the following letter to the Chinese

Ambassador in London.

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4th December 2006

I have recently been approached regarding animal welfare matters in

China specifically relating to the preparations for the 2008 Olympics.

 

I am told that the Chinese Government has recently embarked upon a

policy of culling pet dogs in an attempt to halt the spread of

rabies. Whilst I appreciate that the Chinese Government has to make

decisions based on the need to protect its citizens, concerns have

been expressed about the manner in these animals are destroyed. It

would be helpful therefore if you would provide me with a

clarification of the Chinese Government's policy in this area and

provide with reassurance that, where culls must take place, the

animals concerned are dispatched in a quick and humane manner. It

would be helpful if you would provide me with information on the

approved method for dispatching animals in these circumstances.

 

I would also be grateful to know what regard the Chinese Government

gave to alternative solutions, in particular the use of vaccination

programmes, humane muzzles and education programmes to encourage

responsible pet ownership.

 

 

--

Kim Bartlett, Publisher of ANIMAL PEOPLE Newspaper

Postal mailing address: P.O. Box 960, Clinton WA 98236 U.S.A.

CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS IS: <ANPEOPLE

Website: http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/ with French and Spanish

language subsections.