New approaches to civilized dog ownership: patrol teams for dog management set up across various places, with dogs wearing electronic certificates

As everyone's living standards improve, more and more people are keeping dogs, and dog walking has become a street scene. At the same time, stray dogs running around, barking disturbing residents, dog feces pollution, and pet dogs biting people occur from time to time. For this reason, some cities are actively exploring regulations and new civilized dog ownership measures.

1. Jinan: a “dog ownership points system” and a specially developed App

Because problems such as dogs disturbing residents were prominent, Jinan began large-scale special dog management campaigns in 2011. On January 1, 2017, Jinan developed a dog management APP and officially implemented a dog registration credit points system. For the first investigation and handling of behavior such as dogs disturbing residents, walking dogs without a leash, or not carrying a dog certificate and dog tag, police will warn the dog owner and deduct 3 points; for the second investigation and handling, the dog owner will be fined 200 yuan to 500 yuan according to the circumstances and 6 points will be deducted; for the third investigation and handling, 12 points will be fully deducted from the dog owner, and if the dog certificate has not been annually reviewed, 12 points will also be deducted at one time. Dog owners who have 12 points fully deducted will have their dogs temporarily confiscated and must go to a designated location to study relevant dog ownership regulations; only after passing an exam may they retrieve their dogs.

Since the “points system” was implemented, a total of 1430 dog owners have been penalized, among whom 122 dog owners had 12 points fully deducted and attended study and exams.

2. Xining: 40 breeds of fierce dogs and dogs over 61 cm tall are prohibited from being kept

In order to further strengthen urban dog management in Xining and regulate citizens' lawful and civilized dog ownership, starting from June 19, the Xining Public Security Bureau, together with urban management departments, rectified “dog problems” in areas with dog ownership restrictions, focusing on problems such as keeping fierce dogs. Forty breeds of fierce dogs and dogs over 61 cm tall are prohibited from being kept.

3. Wuhan: illegal dog ownership will be included in the dishonesty list

On July 26, the fourth meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th Hubei Provincial People's Congress deliberated and approved the revised “Wuhan Property Management Regulations.” Based on the deliberation opinions of the Standing Committee members, the Regulations added relevant provisions regulating dog ownership behavior.

Based on the deliberation opinions of the Standing Committee members, the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Hubei Provincial People's Congress put forward the following revision opinions on the Regulations:

It is suggested to add one article as Article 49: it is prohibited to keep fierce dogs and large dogs within property management areas; when owners or property users take dogs out of their homes, they shall put a dog tag on the dog, fasten a dog leash, put a muzzle on the dog, have an adult lead it, and actively avoid others; public security organs shall strengthen management of dog ownership behavior, promptly accept reports and complaints, and handle illegal and non-compliant dog ownership behavior; property service enterprises shall take measures to strengthen publicity and guidance for civilized dog ownership and promptly stop illegal and non-compliant dog ownership behavior.

It is also suggested to add one article as Article 70, stipulating corresponding legal liability: those who violate the provisions of the Regulations will receive penalties such as confiscation of dogs and fines; those who receive more than two administrative penalties for dog ownership in violation of these Regulations will be included in the serious dishonesty list.

It is reported that these suggestions will be replied to the Standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal People's Congress, which will make corresponding revisions and then publish them for implementation.

4. Yangzhou: filming a civilized dog ownership micro-film and establishing a “civilized dog ownership patrol team”

In order to make civilized dog ownership deeply rooted in people's hearts, recently the Cuigang Garden Community of Hanshang Subdistrict, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou began filming a new micro-film, “N Agreements Between Me and My Dog.” In calling on everyone to keep dogs and pets in a civilized way, in addition to filming a public-interest micro-film about civilized dog walking, the Cuigang Garden Community also called on dog-owning families in the residential area to establish a “civilized dog ownership patrol team,” mainly responsible for guiding residents to keep dogs in a civilized way. More than 10 team members patrol the community twice a day in the morning and evening, observing while walking their dogs, reminding and supervising one another. Members also formulated a “civilized dog ownership pact,” such as that a dog registration certificate must be obtained and vaccines must be injected regularly, that a leash must be properly attached when walking a dog and dog feces must be cleaned up by oneself, and that large dogs must wear muzzles before going out.

5. Changsha: plans to issue dog ownership management regulations, and dogs will wear “electronic ID cards”

On June 27, the 17th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 15th Changsha Municipal People's Congress deliberated the “Changsha Dog Ownership Management Regulations (Draft).” The draft plans to divide the administrative area of Changsha into dog-prohibited areas, strictly managed areas, and generally managed areas. It is reported that dogs wearing “electronic ID cards” will become a basic requirement.

6. Harbin: 39 breeds of dogs prohibited from being kept, and each household may keep at most one permitted dog

Recently, the Harbin Public Security Bureau held a press conference to comprehensively strengthen dog management. In order to regulate civilized dog ownership behavior, starting immediately, investigations and handling of illegal dog ownership behavior will be carried out according to law. The focus is on checking 39 breeds of prohibited dogs, including Tibetan mastiffs, Caucasian shepherds, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Dogo Argentinos, and prohibited dogs found will be confiscated according to law. If a household is found keeping multiple dogs, according to Article 19 of the “Harbin Dog Ownership Management Regulations” implemented in 2012, apart from retaining one permitted dog, the remaining dogs will be detained for inspection according to law.