Hangzhou’s new dog restrictions get mixed responses

World
Europe

02:04

Dog owners in the city of Hangzhou are facing some of the country's strictest restrictions.

The Urban Management Bureau of Hangzhou has announced regulations in regards to dog walking time, walking zones, and dog registration.

The new measures have caused plenty of heated debate online with many arguing that the punishments don't fit the crime.

According to the official documents published online by the bureau, dogs must now always be on a leash when they are being walked in public areas in Hangzhou.

If not, the owners will receive a fine of between 200 and 1,000 yuan. Or worse, they could actually have the dog impounded, and lose the right to own another one in the future.

Hangzhou residents waiting in line to acquire a dog registration certificate, November 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

Dog owners are also forbidden to walk their dogs between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In addition, if the owner keeps an unregistered dog, they could receive a fine of anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 yuan. A business entity can be fined between 5,000 to 10,000 yuan.

With limited space and busy sidewalks, owning a dog can sometimes be a quite frustrating experience for city dwellers, but many think the measures are necessary.

However, while many understand the need for rules, some believe the animal itself is being forgotten in the debate.

“It is never too late to mend. I raise both of my hands in favor of publishing the rules,” says netizen Ailala on Weibo.

Hangzhou dog ownership approval certificate, November 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

This all comes after an incident involving a dog-walker and a passer-by in Hangzhou. Police say the mother, who had her little boy and girl with her, asked the owner to put a leash on his dog.

He refused, before attacking her, and leaving her with severe injuries. During the fight, the mother kicked the dog a couple times shown in surveillance video.

The owner is now under arrest, but the incident has provided plenty of food for thought for local authorities.

"We will follow up with some additional measures based on feedback. For example, the dog walking time, walking area and types of dogs allowed,” said by Qin Hua, the deputy director general of Municipal Order Department at Hangzhou Municipal Management Bureau.

Hangzhou authorities to approve dog registration certificate, November 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

Hangzhou isn't alone in this regard.

The city of Wenshan in southwest China's Yunnan Province says owners can also only walk their dogs from ten at night into the next day morning at seven.

Though many respect it is an area that needs regulation, some feel it's the dog that's being punished for their owner's negligence.

Mr. Luo, who is a resident and a dog owner in Wenshan, is not happy about the new regulation on dog walking time.

“For those who do not obey the rules and do not clean up after mess, those dog owners will still behave that way. But for those who do respect the law, we do our part. It won't stop us from walking our dogs,” said Luo.

Residents say the new regulation needs a lot of adjustments before being adaptable to the dog owners and individuals living in the same space.