Dog cull set to begin today – Write your Chinese Ambassador Now!

Reports from China indicate a citywide dog cull is beginning today in a district of Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province near Beijing. Dogs that are not registered and vaccinated will reportedly be killed, along with stray animals.

Residents with dogs over 14 inches in height or with those which are considered to be “dangerous breeds” were being asked to kill their own dogs by yesterday, September 10th. If these animals were not killed, police were set to form dog-beating squads, combing the district and killing all such dogs. Owners would then be fined for the killing.

While authorities are attributing the plan to recent dog-biting incidents in the area, IFAW’s Asia Regional Director, Grace Ge Gabriel says, “To pick this time to enforce the dog regulation, it is obvious that Qinhuangdao hopes to “clean” the streets and put on a good show for China’s National Day on October 1st. But, by inflicting cruelty on animals, the city is doing the exact opposite.

Mass killing of dogs is going to generate outrage from people all over the world, damaging China’s image of a harmonious society.”

Due to the lack of rabies prevention programs, consistent dog population controls or responsible pet ownership education, city governments often resort to mass killing of dogs as a means to control dog populations and prevent rabies outbreaks. This May, the cull in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province was responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 dogs. “This brutal killing of dogs further highlights the need for legislation that will ensure the humane treatment of all animals,” continues Gabriel.

Meanwhile, the central government is working with IFAW and other groups in China to draft national animal welfare legislation which Gabriel says is the only way to ensure the humane treatment of animals for the long-term.

“Qinhuangdao must stop the mass slaughter of dogs and attend to the root causes of overpopulation and rabies transmission. Above all else, this includes the need for vaccination and sterilization.”

“We are of course pleased that the draft of China’s first animal welfare legislation is near completion but it we fear it will be too late for the tens of thousands of dogs in Qinhuangdao,” concluded Gabriel.

Visit this link to fill in your name and address (merely to identify your legislators), click “Submit,” and there you can send a letter to your Chinese Ambassador. Please act now for these dogs.