Beijing Lightens Up On Pet Pooches

by Patricia Collier

The Beijing Municipal People’s Congress (BMPC) approved a new law September 5 which lowers the registration fee for dogs. The BMPC is the capital city’s top legislative body.

The old regulation required dog registration fees of 5,000 yuan, or $604 US dollars for the first year, then 2,000 yuan, or $242 US dollars every year thereafter.

As of September 5, citizens with dogs will pay 1,000 yuan, or $121 US dollar for the first year, and 500 yuan, or $60 US dollars every year after.

Dogs that assist the blind or the disabled, dogs owned by senior widowers and widows living in poverty, and dogs that have been spayed or neutered will not be subject to the fees.

While the old regulation, made eight years ago, emphasized limiting who owned dogs and how many dogs were allowed, the new regulation focuses on "strict management and combining restrictions with management," according to BMPC member Li Xiaojuan.

Officials have been debating the new regulations for two years. The changes were made after the BMPC Standing Committee sought advice from the public in early August, according to Wang Jiayan, vice-director of the BMPC Legislative Committee.

Some residents argued that dogs spread disease, while others said having dogs is a private matter and should not be restricted.

Whatever the emotional reasons for the differing viewpoints, officials said loosening the dog restrictions is best for everyone.

Statistics from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security showed that by the end 2002 there were some 1.4 million dogs in Beijing, but only one-tenth were registered.

"Cheaper dog registration will encourage more residents to keep their pets legally instead of ignoring the regulation," said Li Xiaojuan.

The new version of the regulations also allows for free rabies injections for dogs. This is of great concern to the public since, of all infectious diseases, rabies has killed the largest number of people in the first of the year, according to sources with the Ministry of Health.

Under the new regulations, citizens will register their dogs with neighborhood committees elected by local residents, instead of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Public Security.

"The government now has shown more respect for social customs and individual interests," said Li Xiaojuan.

"But that does not mean the government will stand by. The point is that government should take proper measures to benefit all its citizens."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.