Shanghai introduces 'one dog policy'

PHOTO: Reuters 

A man walks his dog down the street in Shanghai.

NOT EVERY dog has its day.

Shanghai is setting a one dog per family limit in an effort to curb soaring pet population in the city.

The controversial policy also requires dog owners to give up their pets' puppies to eligible no-dog households or to government-approved adoption agencies before the puppies reach three months, the China Daily reported.

A recent increase in the number of pets has resulted in soaring numbers of rabies infections. Almost 2,500 people die of the disease in China each year.

Only about 140,000 of Shanghai's estimated 800,000 dogs are currently registered.

The government also said tighter regulation was needed due to excessive barking, unscooped waste and the growing risk of dog attacks, which affect the city's environment and sanitation.

Shanghai is home to 23 million people. The city's police said they receive thousands of complaints about dog bites every year.

The report quoted a resident Mr Wang, a dog-lover, as saying officials should focus on educating citizens on how to raise pets responsibly, such as having them neutered instead of implementing draconian measures.

"The government should improve public knowledge about how to raise a dog and how to prevent them from attacking people ... instead of forcing us to raise one dog only," he said.

A Singaporean dog lover agreed with Mr Wang.

Miss Cecilia Edward, 18, who owns three dogs herself, said: "I think (policies) should educate pet owners about the potential harm their dogs may cause rather than just banning them."  

- additional reporting by Denis Edward

(Sources: China Daily, Sky News, Telegraph)