china's one pooch policy

a few months ago it was reported that the chinese government was seizing dogs in rural areas (or vigalantes were doing worse) because of a rabies outbreak. now in beijing they are adopting a one dog policy and a ban on large dogs. these are tough times for our chinese friends--and it's the year of the dog!

Last Tuesday, though, Beijing newspapers carried a notice about the new campaign, under way since October, concerning “pet dog management work.” It said households with too many dogs, or with big dogs, would have 10 days to relocate them. In essence, owners had 10 days to get rid of the dogs or the police would do it for them.

The note also promised to pay rewards to people who helped the police catch neighbors violating the dog rules.

Anxiety and outrage have quickly spread among dog owners. Several reported that the police were already apprehending large dogs in apartment compounds and had even entered individual apartments to seize some dogs. Web sites posted photographs of dogs crammed into holding pens at dingy city pounds. Another Internet posting warned that a slaughter of stray dogs and cats would begin next week.

bummer. some dog owners have suggested that this might be a part of the campaign to pretty Beijing up for the olympics. once again, dogs paying a price for human pageantry. i can't decide if it is more or less egregious than atlanta's policy of giving the homeless one way bus tickets out of town pre-summer games.