If you're a dog owner in the Chinese city of Jiangmen, you're in trouble. Dogs will be banned from public streets at the end of August, because they're dangerous and unhealthy.City leaders say 42 people have died from rabies in three years, 12000 people a year are injured by dogs, increasing dog shit on the streets is a major nuisance, and many residents find dogs frightening. So tough action is being taken.
The original plan was to ban all dogs from the city, either having them put down or given to new owners in the countryside.
But there was such a public uproar that officials had to backtrack and cancel the ban. Instead there'll be stricter controls on dog-owners, including dog licences and full liability for injuries.
I'm sure if our local council tried to get rid of dogs there'd be a similar outcry. There's no way people would wave their pets goodbye, health hazard or not.
In any case, I haven't heard of any locals getting rabies. And even if some people are scared of dogs, that's no reason to ban the lot.
Dog shit splattered all over the pavement drives me nuts, but the answer to that is surely better enforcement of the regulations against fouling pavements.
But if all the dogs in Jiangmen are to be banned from public streets and parks, how will little Fi Do get her daily exercise? Will she have to use a treadmill or go a special doggy gym? The officials are silent on this point.
I suspect dog-owners will rebel again and the streets will still be full of dogs. And the city officials will be left with egg on their faces.
PS: Several Chinese cities, including Shanghai, already have a "one-dog policy" to limit the number of pets.
And the city officials will be left with egg on their faces.
ReplyDelete...Or something less pleasant...
SX
Scarlet - Now there's a thought. A new type of dirty protest?
ReplyDeletenobody chinese ever has egg on their faces
ReplyDeleteDogs are dangerous and unhealthy
ReplyDeleteNo they're not.
Intolerant, sanctimonious or authoritarian people are the dangerous ones.
Kylie - That's true, they always seem to retain their sense of authority. Usually by being extremely repressive.
ReplyDeleteMacy - Hmmm, are you saying that people catch rabies or get bitten because they're intolerant etc? Certainly dogs are not that dangerous. I've never been bitten by a dog in my life. Humans are a lot more dangerous.
They don't have rabies vaccine?
ReplyDeleteRegs for picking up after your dog?
Spaying and neutering to shrink pet homelessness?
What e said...
ReplyDeletee - I wouldn't know about that. Good questions. There are regulations in the UK for scooping up dog shit but they're never enforced.
ReplyDeleteLeah - I can only tell you what was in the article. A lot of unanswered questions here!
If I could pick up after myself I would.
ReplyDeleteIf I could inject myself with immunizations against rabies I would.
If after thousands of years of domestication I could hunt and feed myself I would.
Irresponsible humans are the problem.
Woof!
Ansa
www - How very true! If human beings choose to keep dogs, they should look after them properly and prevent them annoying other people. Dogs just want to have fun!
ReplyDeleteThe regulations for picking up dog shit are enforced over here.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be game to defy the Japanese government.....
Well if you've ever been to Asia (I've never been to china by the way) dogs are a BIG problem. Not those owned but they ramble the streets and are to all intent and purpose feral. This is China we're talking about . . they censor the internet and press, why would they give a poodle about dogs? No rabies in Australia and you get fined if you don't pick up your pooch poo.
ReplyDeleteMyra - I'm glad to hear it. No point in regulations if they're ignored.
ReplyDeleteBaino - Glad shit-removal is strictly enforced in Oz. It's about time the UK stopped being so lax. The article didn't mention strays but maybe they're part of the problem.
I spent some time in an ER after a dog bite and I am a firm believer in very strict leash laws. I think anyone who lets their dog run loose ought to lose the right to have dogs. Not the same as banning dogs, just assuring that people are not put at risk.
ReplyDeleteSecret Agent - Again, we don't have strict leash laws here either. Dogs run around freely in parks and open spaces. I hardly ever hear of people getting bitten though.
ReplyDeleteWell, we all know how well their one-child policy worked out. The present generation of young men has no one to marry because so many people killed their girl babies until they got a boy. I have always been suspicious of those who dislike dogs.
ReplyDeleteHeart - The whole tradition of killing girl babies is totally sick. Re dogs, I wouldn't say I dislike dogs, they're too affectionate and endearing, but they can be a bit overwhelming. I prefer cats.
ReplyDeleteNick, commiserations: The world is going to the dogs and that's all there is to. To top it all: Smoking will soon be banned in PARKS too. Let industry pollute the air and deprive some of us of what already has become a furtive pleasure - not that I do smoke. But used to and loved every single ringlet.
ReplyDeleteYes, dogs. Pooper scooper. The invention of all time. Like you I believe there are few things more vile than dog shit on the pavement. Here, in England, the law is - thank god - pretty militant about it. Not that'll stop your neighbour to take his dog out to the park at dawn.
What it did stop though - some 12 years or so ago was my son getting a dog. He couldn't bear the thought of walking around with a "bag". He settled for two kittens instead. Both of which grew into cats using our garden as a deluxe litter box.
Sorry about being expansive. And thanks for bringing that policy to my attention. In some country, any time soon, we will only be allowed to have half a child, letting him/her sail into the sunset in search of the whole.
U
Ursula - I never noticed any dog-shit removal militancy when I lived in London. Just plenty of dog-shit. Maybe things have changed for the better.
ReplyDeleteI'm a non-smoker, but I have no objection to people smoking in parks as long as they don't waft the smoke in my direction.
looking at the shitty standard of dog ownership in this country.....I would be in two minds to bring this law into the UK
ReplyDeleteJohn - Shitty standard of dog ownership indeed. Most dog owners round here are totally irreponsible about allowing their dogs to crap wherever the mood takes them and refusing to clear up the mess. Would they create the same mess in their own front garden?
ReplyDeleteMy son and a few of our neighbours are very avid animal welfare activists and are for ever organising adoption camps and running off to save strays subject to hit and run etc. I have no objection but I do wish that they would do something about the strays howling and barking in the nights.
ReplyDeleteRamana - That's very altruistic of them, looking after abandoned and injured dogs. Luckily we don't have any howling dogs in our neighbourhood. They'd drive me nuts if we did.
ReplyDeleteI think the streets are a lot cleaner these days than they used to be. And you don't see dogs roaming as they once did.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of George? I don't think so. WE'd have to move first.
Liz - So Wales as well as England seems to be less plagued by dog shit. I'm glad to hear it. And my goodness, I know you'd never ever part with George.
ReplyDelete