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Shanghai’s debate over the One-Child Policy is on the back-burner this week as the city comes to terms with its newest set of regulations: the One-Dog Policy.
From Sunday on, Shanghai residents will be allowed to own only one dog per hoursehold. Current owners of multiple dogs will enjoy an amnesty as long as they register their pups before Sunday.
Although some residents say that enforcement of the new regulations will go the way of China’s most recent indoor smoking ban, considering the severity of the unregistered dog round-ups of the last few years, many Shanghaining aren’t taking any chances with Rover.
There are approximately 140,000 licensed dogs in the city and at least 600,000 unlicensed, according to a recent report in Shanghai Daily.
To register a dog in Shanghai, licensing fees can cost up to RMB 2,000 in some districts, a price that dissuades many from starting the paperwork. Under the new scheme, officials say the fee "would be much cheaper than the current charge,” although prices have yet to be released.
In addition to reducing prices, to make getting a license more convenient, the number of dog registration offices will increase from the current 18 to 350 across Shanghai.
As the end of Shanghai’s multi-dog registration amnesty period nears, local pet stores report that they’ve seen a slight rise in the sale of dogs, as people who were considering multiple puppies are trying to get in under the wire.
More than just a “One-Dog Policy”
Although the “one household, one dog” part of the new pet policy is hogging the spotlight of public debate at the moment, the new dog laws also include an improvement in owner responsibility. Under the new regulations, not only would a license for your (one) dog be cheaper, but owners would be required to leash their dog and clear up after it -- with fines of RMB 200 accompanying tickets.
Shanghai currently has no such laws.
Additionally, owners whose “dogs endanger public safety” -- although the term is not defined in the new policy -- will face fines ranging from RMB 5,000 to RMB 50,000. People who abuse or abandon their dogs will face stiff fines and won't be allowed to apply for another pet license for five years.
"The regulation is not only aimed at encouraging dog owners to conduct themselves well while raising pets, but also elaborates on their legal obligations," said Ding Wei, the leader of the panel that drew up the new rules, during an online discussion held by the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress last Monday.
Although people can register multiple dogs through Sunday before the One-Dog Policy comes into effect, all dogs -- and their owners -- will be subject to the same fines.
"I'm quite satisfied with the new law, which reminds dog owners to be responsible for their dog and to avoid damaging public places or affecting others' lives," said Tang Jinyao, a 28-year-old man who owns a Pomeranian in Shanghai, to state media reporters.
Ensuring that people comply with the new policy will be an ongoing issue for the city, which, Shanghai Daily reports, will have to rely heavily on the public and organizations such as neighborhood committees and residential property managements.
Legislators have also talked about introducing volunteer teams to help persuade dog owners to comply with the law, as well as building pet toilets in major downtown hubs, including People’s Square, as a way to ensure people clean up after their dogs.
Shanghai is not the first city to enforce a One-Dog Policy. Similar laws already exist in other major Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
Mods I'm not sure if this fits in with the comm so if you don't think it does please don't put it in.
OP: Although I think the policy has its good point in terms of burden of responsibility on pet-owners, as someone who has 2 kitties I can't help but feel really sad if I would have had to pick one when we took them in. The two of them couldn't live without the other I think.
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From Sunday on, Shanghai residents will be allowed to own only one dog per hoursehold. Current owners of multiple dogs will enjoy an amnesty as long as they register their pups before Sunday.
Although some residents say that enforcement of the new regulations will go the way of China’s most recent indoor smoking ban, considering the severity of the unregistered dog round-ups of the last few years, many Shanghaining aren’t taking any chances with Rover.
There are approximately 140,000 licensed dogs in the city and at least 600,000 unlicensed, according to a recent report in Shanghai Daily.
To register a dog in Shanghai, licensing fees can cost up to RMB 2,000 in some districts, a price that dissuades many from starting the paperwork. Under the new scheme, officials say the fee "would be much cheaper than the current charge,” although prices have yet to be released.
In addition to reducing prices, to make getting a license more convenient, the number of dog registration offices will increase from the current 18 to 350 across Shanghai.
As the end of Shanghai’s multi-dog registration amnesty period nears, local pet stores report that they’ve seen a slight rise in the sale of dogs, as people who were considering multiple puppies are trying to get in under the wire.
More than just a “One-Dog Policy”
Although the “one household, one dog” part of the new pet policy is hogging the spotlight of public debate at the moment, the new dog laws also include an improvement in owner responsibility. Under the new regulations, not only would a license for your (one) dog be cheaper, but owners would be required to leash their dog and clear up after it -- with fines of RMB 200 accompanying tickets.
Shanghai currently has no such laws.
Additionally, owners whose “dogs endanger public safety” -- although the term is not defined in the new policy -- will face fines ranging from RMB 5,000 to RMB 50,000. People who abuse or abandon their dogs will face stiff fines and won't be allowed to apply for another pet license for five years.
"The regulation is not only aimed at encouraging dog owners to conduct themselves well while raising pets, but also elaborates on their legal obligations," said Ding Wei, the leader of the panel that drew up the new rules, during an online discussion held by the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress last Monday.
Although people can register multiple dogs through Sunday before the One-Dog Policy comes into effect, all dogs -- and their owners -- will be subject to the same fines.
"I'm quite satisfied with the new law, which reminds dog owners to be responsible for their dog and to avoid damaging public places or affecting others' lives," said Tang Jinyao, a 28-year-old man who owns a Pomeranian in Shanghai, to state media reporters.
Ensuring that people comply with the new policy will be an ongoing issue for the city, which, Shanghai Daily reports, will have to rely heavily on the public and organizations such as neighborhood committees and residential property managements.
Legislators have also talked about introducing volunteer teams to help persuade dog owners to comply with the law, as well as building pet toilets in major downtown hubs, including People’s Square, as a way to ensure people clean up after their dogs.
Shanghai is not the first city to enforce a One-Dog Policy. Similar laws already exist in other major Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
Mods I'm not sure if this fits in with the comm so if you don't think it does please don't put it in.
OP: Although I think the policy has its good point in terms of burden of responsibility on pet-owners, as someone who has 2 kitties I can't help but feel really sad if I would have had to pick one when we took them in. The two of them couldn't live without the other I think.
Source