Hangzhou enforces regulation for raising dogs

World
Europe

The city of Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday announced new regulation for raising dogs following the latest attack by an unleashed pet. The new rule instates curb on when to walk dogs and fines against unleashed dogs.

This regulation comes following the dispute which spilled over into violence, when a dog owner allegedly broke a woman's finger over an escalated argument on November 3. The woman was assaulted by the 31-year-old man after she tried to scare his unleashed dog away to protect her kids.

The female victim posted this incident online and the dog owner was detained by police at Yuhang District of Hangzhou for suspected provocation on November 6. The case is being further investigated. Public security organs expressed that they will intensify their efforts to crack down on crimes committed in public places, and severely punish the perpetrators.

A small park in Hangzhou was filled with various notices handwritten by citizens reminding prohibition on urination or defecation by dogs. /VCG Photo

"We immediately started the investigation after learning this incident. The dog owner's girlfriend admitted that they had not applied for the license for their pet,” officers of the Yuhang District Management Office told the Paper news.

On Sunday, Hangzhou City Management Committee claimed that the city will look into the policy of raising dogs.

According to statistics from Hangzhou Urban Management Department, Hangzhou City had issued a total of 23,230 dog licenses by the end of September this year. So far the department has handled a total of 8,066 dog-related cases, including 399 violations of dog-raising behavior, Qianjiang Evening News reported.

According to Hangzhou's regulations, smaller dogs could be taken outdoors in public area only after 7:00 pm up to 7:00 am. There are restrictions on dog movement in public areas from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Bigger dogs are not allowed to be in public areas at all. If the dog owners violate the regulation, they will be punished.

Cover Photo: VCG Photo