(CN) Beijing companion dogs

[Guest guest]

From IFAWChina:

 

Dear All,

 

You may have all seen reports in the media about the massive round up of

150,000 dogs in Beijing. Following is an update.

 

Since February, IFAW China office has been vigorously lobbying the Beijing

People's Congress to change the current Dog Regulation. We provided over a

dozen members with materials including the dog ownership survey, media

reports and more importantly, a detailed revision of the regulation drafted

by a Chinese lawyer. There is strong indication that the government will

revise the regulation this year. Then in late February, the Beijing Police

started a massive dog round up campaign with a target of 150,000 dogs. The

police even force their way into dog owners' homes to confiscate their dogs.

In several incidences, the police and the dog owners get into a fight and

the police killed the dogs in front of the owners. Our suspicion of the

reason is that the police try to intimidate people into paying the high

license fee ahead of any change to the regulation.

 

IFAW China wrote a strong but polite letter and was sent to the Beijing

government, the Police Department and the Olympic Bidding Committee etc.

calling for a stop in the round up and humane legislation. Last Thursday,

the police department called us with a conciliatory tone. The officer

admitted that some police were not " civilized in law enforcement " but said

that they were just enforcing the law. At the same time, the ferocity of the

round up appeared to have lessened. It is unheard of in China that the

police would come to us in a conciliatory manner. We have won a small

battle.

 

Thanks to those that sign up with our petition letter. We plan to follow up

with another letter specifically calling for a new dog regulation and a

overall humane legislation. Thank you all for your interest in this matter.

 

Best,

Grace Ge Gabriel

IFAW China Country Director

Tel: 86-10-6464-3599, 6460-4888

Fax: 86-10-6464-3522