Dangerous Dogs: Beijing Set to Leash Bigger Breeds

Steven Schwankert | Jun 15, 2013 1:00 pm | 28 comments | 6453 reads

Dog breeds standing over 35 centimeters, and those of 41 breeds identified as violent, including "collies" will be banned from central areas of the city and some Beijing municipality rural districts, Chinese media reported Friday.

While restrictions on dog size are nothing new in Beijing, the announcement of the new rule, initiated on June 2, will likely mean a new crackdown on dog sizes and breeds in the city and also nearby areas, along with checks for proper licensing.

Bulldogs and collies were specifically identified as "violent" breeds, and both huskies and golden retrievers are considered too large to raise within the the Fifth Ring Road.

We're working on a full list of the breeds so that concerned dog owners can better prepare themselves for this round of checks. If you find it before we do, please post in the Comments section below.

Photo: collie222.blogspot.com.

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Rollerpaw's picture Rollerpaw Submitted by Guest on Sun, 12/01/2013 - 13:43

I'm a native Beijinger and I'm really sorry what you've been through. I have a one-year Labrador myself so I can totally understand your anger. The owner of our pet shop, also a friend of us, mentioned your misfortune a few months ago(perhaps she saw it in some news) and showed the same anger. Maybe it's your misfortune, but it's a nuisance for all dog lovers and animal lovers. I really want to do something about it! Just don't give up on Beijing!

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 14:53

Oh dear, oh dear. Pots and kettles.

Come, come, Tueshaes.

If one wishes to express a complaint about the local darlings peeing and pooping in the public fairways, one might want to have at least a pretense of civilized speech as one criticizes others for their lack of civilized behavior.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

Tueshaes's picture Tueshaes Submitted by Guest on Sat, 06/22/2013 - 22:28

You're a fckn idiot!! Did you know that in my community all foreigners do clean up after our dogs its you local arseholes who let your children poop on the roads and pee everywhere. So why aren't you saying anything about it? that is even gross. So if dogs pooping and peeing in public is a problem and has to be shot by police, what about you local parents who let your babies pee and poop all over roads etc are you gonna shoot and take away the parents huh? Its the same situation. Police should fine you PEOPLE who let your children pee and poop in public as well.

Tueshaes's picture Tueshaes Submitted by Guest on Sat, 06/22/2013 - 22:25

OMG THAT IS HORRIBLE.. they actually did that to you & your dogs even though you're a foreigner? Shiz, I have an Alaskan Malamute, but so far, where I'm living its not that horrifying and in my community still a lot of people walking their dogs our in broad daylight. But I'm also scared about it so I'm walking my dog at odd hours now. (because my dog's pet passport is still in process and not done yet; and yeah my country has pet passports hehe)

I'm planning to bring my dog out of China prolly next year. Locals and their "laws" are bloody ridic.

rba999's picture rba999 Submitted by Guest on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 12:29

Dear caitlinbellah, while Beijing's current "anti-any-dog-larger-than-a-cat" campaign is excessive, it seems to only be in Beijing, and if things operate as normal, will be forgotten after a couple of weeks

I have been living here in Beijing with my English Cocker Spaniel (too large under the rules, but nevertheless repeatedly licensed by the police) since 2004. During this time dogs have become increasingly popular, and people (and the authorities) have become more accepting of and comfortable with them (though far too many owners, especially of small dogs, remain clueless). This does not mean all is fine; the current madness is certainly a big step backward. But all in all things have been progressing on the dog front. This is pretty much par for China, which seems to follow a process of two slow steps forward, followed by one panicked and poorly conceived jump back.

dogguru's picture dogguru Submitted by Guest on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 08:27

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~ Mahatma Gandhi

"To educate our people, and especially our children, to humane attitudes and actions toward living things is to preserve and strengthen our national heritage and the moral values we champion in the world" ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

PEOPLE...it’s not about the dogs, it’s about us, the handlers and or owners! We must raise awareness and educate ourselves in PROPER dog ownership. We CANNOT blame dogs, just like we cannot blame a 3 year old child! There is NO such thing as bad dogs...just untrained owners! There is no debate…this is fact!

chinadogtraining dot com

Creating harmony between dogs and people

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 14:33

Oh, and Ericj418, just keep your dog close to home for the next few weeks. This crackdown, if it's like the last few years, will last a few weeks, and then the police will wear themselves out, consider they've satisfied the Great Leaders who commanded the crackdown, and forget about the dogs for another year. It's all about show; if the "little people" carrying out the orders from on high "work hard" for a short time to follow the current directive, then the bosses will be satisfied, and everyone can go back to their normal 9-5 desk jobs with the 2-hour lunch break.

It's just something to keep an eye out for every June--all doggie registrations expire in early summer, so June/July is when everybody has to go pay more money to be "legal" and when the police start beating the dogs again.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

bluefish's picture bluefish Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 12:26

Exactly. Back about 2005 or whenever it was they first eased the dog restrictions and lowered the price on registering dogs...it was just a "Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom" thing to anyone smart who knew their history. Get everyone to register, pretend you care about public safety and vaccines, let everyone think everything is ok, then suddenly change all the rules and you know right where to find the the dogs you want to scoop up.

This kind of action doesn't do anything. As has already been mentioned, all it does is encourage people to go illegal because there's no benefit to being legal. All you do is throw away scads of cash and cause yourself a lot ma fan.

And, I'm sorry, if you think banning bigger dogs is going to actually change anything you don't have your eyes open and your brain turned on. Invariably it's the little ugly legal breeds that are the ones chasing people, nipping at kids, pooping everywhere and peeing against your tires. THe big dog owners keep their dogs restrained, for the most part. Obviously there are exceptions, but for every one of them there's ten of the little ugly dogs.

If they stopped all this nonsense Beijing would develop a dog culture like civilized nations. Dog owners would get together more freely. Classes would be offered on the free market and taken advantage of. People would get more familiar with dogs, and you wouldn't have fools like my neighbors who call the dog with whistles and then shriek and scream when the dog actually comes like they asked him to. People wouldn't be afraid to take their dogs to the vet for fear the police would find the dog there or find them through the vet. Dog parks would open up, where people could take their dogs instead of to your kids' parks. It wouldn't happen overnight, but things would definitely change.

This will just make things annoying for a month or so, and then Xigor will go right back to chasing shitzus and pekes and pomeranians and all the other out-of-control little legal menaces off his kids.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:42

If the gummit was really, REALLY interested in solving this problem, they'd have dog training classes as a requirement for owning a dog.

Actually, forget dog training classes. They'd require owner training classes. Things like keeping dog on a leash. Things like teaching owner how to keep dog from lunging after whatever the hell it wants. Things like how to carry little baggies or newspaper for dog poo. Things like carrying around a bottle of disinfectant to douse public areas when dogs pee on benches (believe it or not, I have a lovely Chinese neighbor who DOES that).

This whole registration of dogs thing is crap. It's a money-making measure, pure and simple. A chance for us to see how much the Overlords truly do care.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:38

Well... I hate to say it... But the whole "register your dog" thing is so when they change the size/breed regulations, they know exactly where to come to find your suddenly-illegal dog.

First they came for the pit bulls, and no one said anything, cause everyone knows pit bulls are bad.

Then they came for the German shepherds, and no one protested, cause everyone knows German shepherds could possibly be dangerous.

Next they came for the goldens and the labs, and folks didn't really say anything, cause, well, they ARE big.

Now they're coming for the collies...

So it'll be the cocker spaniels, the dachschunds, the Tibetan spaniels, the poodles...

"Dangerous dogs"--dogs are only as dangerous as their out-of-control owners let them be. I'm more afraid of my neighbors' Pekingese than I am of my neighbors' Tibetan mastiff.

It's the big dogs that tend to be well under control, cause owners KNOW they're big. It's those little dogs who'll sink their teeth in your ankle as soon as look at you.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

Ericj418's picture Ericj418 Submitted by Guest on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 15:14

I have a similar story. They came into my compound and started asking for licenses! I had paid mine, turns out my dog is still too big. They could've just not given me a license then? What was the point of renewing if my dog is already too big?

My dog currently stands from paw to shoulder at 39 cm. He's considered a "big" dog. When I had him registered he was deemed "fine". This is all screwy.

I'm keeping him indoors until this is worked out.

xigor's picture xigor Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 13:23

@The Dude, what you described is definitely not acceptable. Law abiding citizens and their pets shouldn't be treated in this way.
If the law is enforced in this wrong way, it just incites people to go the illegal way because you are treated the same whether or not you are legal. As very often in China, the law in itself is good, but the enforceability is done damned wrong.

The Dude's picture The Dude Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 12:38

Xigor,

Calling you and idiot was wrong and I am sorry. However, you seem to think that the police are cracking down on dogs and dog owners because it is their civic duty and they are trying to do what is best for the general public when this is clearly just a cash grab. What made the police officers that hurt my dog the most upset was that I had already paid my dog fees to another cop at a different police station so they were not going to get any cash out of me. They were angry they wasted so much time on me when they could have been going after people that would have to pay them.

When I first registered one of my dogs they handed me back a license that had a picture of another dog on it. I said "Uh, this isn't my dog." The officer replied "It doesn't matter as long as you paid." These are corrupt and cruel people and their actions reveal their nature.

The Dude Abides.

Paul Ryding's picture Paul Ryding Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 12:02

xigor,

Both of my dogs are registered. Nevertheless, it was nice that my neighbors were helpful enough to remind me. As was the dog of a friend who had his dog snatched up in a net as he walked along with it in his community. These dogs are certainly not being confiscated because of their owners not cleaning up after them.

Cheers,

Managing Editor, the Beijinger

xigor's picture xigor Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:41

Based on my observations, I didn't see foreign dog owners behaving much better than locals with their dogs in this city. Most of them don't register their dogs (as per the below example of Paul Ryding) and don't clean up their little friend's poo. Then, some of them cry their pet has been abducted by the horrible Chinese police. Well, I tell those foreigners: be legal first before to complain. Laws do exist here and yes, sometimes the laws are applied Smile Some foreigners need to realize being a foreigner in China doesn't give them the rights to be above the laws.

Anyway, I also recognize the police here doesn't always behave well, as it does in many countries (think U.S. here).

Paul Ryding's picture Paul Ryding Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 10:57

There are multiple reports over the weekend of people having their pooches snatched up without explanation. As a result I've taken to walking my dogs under cloak of darkness, and I've been reminded by several helpful neighbors that I need to have the dogs licensed. Worrying times to own a dog. Be careful out there

Managing Editor, the Beijinger

alwn1708's picture alwn1708 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 10:51

Whilst what happened to The Dude is just another fine example of brain-deads being entrusted to enforce shambolic laws and regulations , I have to side on the fact that the vast majority of CHINESE dog owners are irresponsible. It is just a shame that those responsible pet owners suffer at the hands of the majority, but hey are'nt we used to irresponsible Chinese yet?
Don't forget , this is a country that has to issue instructions to it's people how to behave on vacation.......

Does this really look like the face of concern?

rba999's picture rba999 Submitted by Guest on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 23:31

Actually this campaign is different; it seems to be much harsher than anything for years. For the past several years the focus has been on getting people to register their dogs, and many police offices within the 5th ring have registered larger dogs. Now it seems to be about getting medium- and large-sized dogs (anything over 35 cm) out of Beijing even if they have already been legally registered for years. Bounties have been set up; rewarding police officers for each dog he or she deals with, while a hot-line has been set up for people to snitch on their neighbors. There have even been reports on the Chinese blogosphere of a Golden Retriever being killed on the spot, in front of the owner.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 21:21

And I might mention these regulations aren't new... Every June/July is crackdown on dog time, because that's when dog registrations expire for all dog owners. I think the only new thing about these regulations are including collies and bulldogs in the "dangerous dog" category.

Collies, though? Really? Have no Chinese seen Lassie?

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

xigor's picture xigor Submitted by Guest on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 21:08

@The Dude, as you describe, you seem to be a reasonable and responsible dog owner, and you have my respect for that (even though you said I'm an idiot). What the police did to your registered dog was not reasonable at all.

My point was that the big majority of dog owners and here I mean at least 80% of them, are not responsible.
1- 80% of dogs are running around unleashed. Think about rabies here. If anyone gets bitten or scratch by an unleashed dog, who's paying over 10,000 RMB for the rabies shots? Not the dog owner.
2- 80% of dog owners do not clearn their dog's $h*t when it happens.
3- I'd easily say that half of the dogs are not properly registered. Seeing that my neighbors have more than 1 dog, and the limit is 1 dog per family...

So, yes, I demand stricted and enforced(!?) regulations for dogs in Beijing. The size limit being the first step in the right direction.

And about small kids peeing on the street, I see that once a month but every day I see at least 10 dogs peeing and at least 5 dogs pooing without being cleaned. By the way, have you ever cleaned your dog pee when he does it on the leg of a bench? (just asking) As for kids peeing on the subway, sorry, in my 15 years in this city, I've never witnessed such a thing on the subway. Maybe, I'm just extremely lucky.
So let's compare what is comparable.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 20:12

Hey, Xigor,

I'm guessing you haven't been here very long? These regulations are not targeted at getting pet owners to clean up after their dogs. The regulations are only intended to keep the dogs within city limits SMALL. Unfortunately, small dogs poo and pee just like big ones--and there is no enforcement, if any regulations? requiring owners to clean up after their dogs.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

The Dude's picture The Dude Submitted by Guest on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 23:34

Xigor you are either an idiot or you are being obtuse for the sake of it. This is a good thing that the "government" is doing? The first step in dog control? Abusing legal and licensed animals is a good thing? I always clean up after my dogs. I wish your parents had used a form of control so reasonable people wouldn't have to listen to your nonsense. You are a holier than thou jerkoff. I bet you are the type of person that let's their little darlings piss on the sidewalk or on the subway.

The Dude Abides.

xigor's picture xigor Submitted by Guest on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 22:35

Glad to see the government doing something about dogs and their owners. I hope this is just the first step of a long series to dog control in this city.
Having small children playing on playgrounds and grass, I'm tired of seeing unleashed dogs running around, dog $h*t and pee everywhere. A large part of dog owners are so inconsiderate to other citizens. Hopefully, we'll see the police applying fine to the owners who don't clean up their best friend's $h*t.

The Dude's picture The Dude Submitted by Guest on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 14:32

The cops were out in force today in Shuangjing. They hit my dog over the head with a pole then stuffed her in a net. I managed to get her out but three of them demanded to see my licenses, which I didn't have on me but went to get as I just finished paying 1500 for the year in dog fees. I was pretty angry because they didn't even ask if I paid instead they just attacked my little dogs and stuck their fingers in my face demanding money. They pulled the old "You are a foreigner and this is China. We can do what we want." After I showed them my licenses and receipt showing I paid the fees they then demanded to see my passport and said in Chinese to each other "He isn't carrying his passport with him, maybe we should take him too." After I went back and showed them my passport they called the PSB to see if I was legally here. All this because I got upset the corrupt cops abused my dog first thing in the morning. No wonder people are leaving China and companies no longer want to invest. Laws mean nothing and authorities hold all foreigners in contempt.

The Dude Abides.

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