Dog Gone? New Pet Regulations Inside Second Ring Road

Just in time for the annual period of dog registration, the Beijing Municipal Government’s Department of Domesticated, Feral and Wild Animals has unveiled new legislation for dog owners in the capital. If you live inside the Second Ring Road, the new maximum height for a dog (from floor to shoulder) is now 18cm or 7.1 inches. This is down from the maximum height of 35cm (1.1 feet) legislated in the Beijing Dog Keeping Regulation of 2003. Dog owners who live within the eight districts of “strict enforcement of dog ownership regulations” (anywhere inside the Fifth Ring Road) but outside the Second Ring Road remain subject to the 35cm regulation.

The reason for the new statute is the public worry surrounding dogs that has arisen following a spate of wolf attacks in Shandong. "Traditionally, small dogs have not been confused with wolves," said Chen Wangwang, a spokesperson for the ministry. "Beijing has a clear public safety policy in order to achieve maximum harmony. We believe that small dogs can meet the interest of public safety. In some circumstances, wolves may also be in the interest of the public. In the current phase of cultural and economic development, however, big dogs and wolves are not welcome in the city."

The related "One Dog Policy" of 2006 – officially enacted to combat the risk of rabies in Beijing – sparked a lot of media reaction and this new move is bound to elicit more.

Most importantly, what does this mean in practical terms for you and your pooch? The long and short of it is that if you have a dog that breaches the new regulations, you’ll need to get it registered outside of the Fifth Ring Road. The ICVS has a full list of hints and tips on how to register your dog here.

Images: Mr Big Ben, ICVS & Life of Dog