In the wake of a brutal assault earlier this month involving an unleashed dog, cities across China have begun a series of crackdowns on man's best friends. Most notably in Hangzhou, where the incident took place, a dog curfew has been introduced and certain breeds have been banned from the city.
The past week has seen pet lovers expressing support for their furry friends, claiming that irresponsible pet owners should face punishment rather than innocent dogs. This has led to many dog owners worrying that the strict clampdowns may be passed on to their city.
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Shanghai dog ownership policy
Currently, there is no sign of additional policies coming to Shanghai other than the existing regulation on dog ownership which was implemented in 2011. The regulation outlines dog owners' responsibility with corresponding penalties for not abiding by the rules. It also states that ownership of uncivilized dogs will be terminated.
The main points for dog owners to take note of include the following:
- Owners should obtain a license for their dogs and ensure vaccinations are given at 12 weeks of age.
- Each household can only raise one dog, and the owner is not allowed to abandon the canine.
- When dog owners are walking their pets, they are obligated to leash their dogs and immediately clean up any dog waste.
- Dogs are not eligible to enter public places including schools, hospitals, restaurants and shopping malls.
Thankfully, unlike Hangzhou, Shanghai police hasn’t designated specific times when dogs can be walked. Nevertheless, there are certain breeds of dogs which are forbidden to live in the city, such as Mastiff, Bulldog, German Shepherd, Bull Terrier and Doberman.
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Registering a dog in Shanghai
If you have not already registered your dog, here is a guide on how to manage the process in Shanghai.
Receive a vaccination certificate
Before you obtain an official ID for your pet, you need to take it to a registered pet hospital to receive the appropriate vaccinations (contact 6268 0906 to find details on qualified clinics).
Ensure you take your passport and rental contact information to the pet hospital. The fee for a rabies shot is RMB80 each time (first timers also need to implant a microchip which costs RMB300). Also, if your pet is neutered or spayed, you must ask the clinic to issue an official certificate, which will grant you 50 percent off the registration fee.
Register your dog at your local police station
Once you have the necessary certificate from the pet clinic, you can go to your nearest police station and apply for a dog license. Like pet hospitals, only selected police stations around town will process this. But don't worry, officers from your closest station will advise you on where to go.
The application for a dog ID also requires your passport and rental contact information along with the dog's immunization certificate. The fee is RMB500 if you live within the inner ring and RMB300 if you live outside. Those who possess neuter certificate will receive a 50 percent discount on the registration fee. In two to four weeks you will receive the license, and your pet will be a legitimate 'citizen' of Shanghai.
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New dog registration app coming soon
The process may seem a little complicated and troublesome, but it's one that's worth the time to ensure your pet is safe. That being said, if you plan to get yourself a furry friend in the future, then you are in luck, as Shanghai police is developing a mobile app which will guide you through the registration process. According to Shine, the app will include a map which identifies where the relevant clinics and government agencies are located.
In addition, to further regulate public conduct, dog owners will receive credit and be rewarded for civilized behavior. Currently, there are approximately 180,000 registered dogs in the city and the first nine months of the year saw 10,600 complaints regarding dogs, advises Shanghai police.
Image via Pixabay
[Cover image via Pixabay]
