China introduces strict measures against dogs following toddler attack

Chinese authorities have begun implementing a crackdown on stray, unregistered, and "oversized" dogs, following a recent Rottweiler attack on a two-year-old girl that left her with severe injuries. However, the government's actions have faced significant backlash after reports emerged of dogs being rounded up and euthanized, even if they have owners. In one disturbing incident, security guards and a landlord unlawfully entered an office and killed the tenant's dogs. Another case involved a university security guard mercilessly killing a dog on campus. A small stray dog on a university campus in Chongqing was also caught on camera being caught in a net and killed, sparking outrage online. These incidents have sparked a widespread debate on social media, with pet owners and Chinese celebrities questioning the necessity of the crackdown. The opposition argues that the fierce response does not justify the initial attack, which was already horrific. According to the 2021 China Pet Industry White Paper, there are around 40 million stray dogs in the country, highlighting the long-standing issue. Notably, the Rottweiler that attacked the child in Chongzhou, Sichuan Province, was not a stray but unleashed and approached the child's mother. In response to the public outcry, some regions, like Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, have decided to round up stray dogs without resorting to euthanasia, aiming to address concerns over unnecessary cruelty towards animals. Other local governments are distributing free leashes as a means to address the root cause of the problem. In Beijing, a volunteer dog rescue group issued an urgent notice, warning that dogs without proper documentation would be impounded and advising owners to adhere to designated dog-walking hours. They also suggested relocating medium and large dogs to designated boarding facilities if possible. The notice emphasized the importance of maintaining a cooperative attitude with law enforcement and avoiding disputes. China's regulations concerning pet ownership vary across different regions, and law enforcement is sometimes lax in enforcing them. Additionally, the country lacks robust animal cruelty laws that could protect pets. In response to the crackdown, the family of the attacked child has launched a public fundraising campaign to cover her treatment costs.