China eliminating all dogs in Hanzhong City - Help stop dog massacre!

June 5, 2009

China eliminating all dogs in Hanzhong city

Help stop dog massacre!

In response to eight cases of human rabies, the authorities in Hanzhong City, in

China's northwest Shaanxi Province, have started the widespread killing of dogs

in order to make the city a dog-free zone. Thousands of stray and owned dogs are

being killed by literally beating them to death.

In some areas, local officials notified dog owners that they needed to kill

their dogs on the 20th or 21st of May. If they didn't, the police would kill the

dogs and the owner would need to pay $100 chinese yuan (around USD 15) as a

destroying fee.

More than 20,000 dogs have already been killed over the last two and a half

months. And the killing continues indiscriminately, whether vaccinated pet dogs

or stray dogs – more photos can be found here.

Local animal welfare groups are working desperately to stop further killing.

Meanwhile, ACTAsia is presenting a suggestion book on 'Rabies Control in China'

to the Chinese authorities. We are urging them to use scientific measures for

rabies control (see OIE & WHO statements) and to stop the inhumane culling of

all dogs in Hanzhong area. International support would be of great help to

prevent the killing of more animals in extremely inhumane ways.

Please write to the following authorities urgently and ask them courteously to

stop this inhumane killing. The following points can be included in your email:

•It has been proven that the indiscriminate mass killing of dogs does not reduce

the incidence of rabies, and does not reduce stray dog populations over the

longer term.

•The only effective way of eliminating rabies in dogs is through a mass

vaccination programme with support from different levels of society

•Humane dog control programmes need to be started immediately

President Hu Jintao

E-mail: info, info

ACTAsia For Animals

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