Shanghai has decided to ban dogs from being registered as “mixed breed” after an incident last month when a rottweiler attacked a Japanese woman in the city's Minhang district, Shine reports.
The dog was of a breed considered dangerous, but wrongfully registered as “mixed breed” and thus allowed to be kept as a pet.
Dogs considered fierce or dangerous are banned in Shanghai, but a loophole allowed those labeled “mixed breed” to evade the regulation. As a result, some people have still been able to own “dangerous” dogs at home.
This new rule is being implemented in order to ensure that dangerous dog breeds are not bypassing the local laws. Breeds that are classified as dangerous include rottweilers, German shepherds and a number of mastiffs.
READ MORE: Japanese Woman Attacked and Bitten by Dog in Shanghai
Following the incident, police have vowed to crack down on illegal dogs. Authorities say that the ban was a decision made by the city’s agriculture and rural affairs commission, which is responsible for the issuing of vaccination certificates. Vaccinations are a requirement when registering pet dogs.
Police stations will now have one designated officer in charge of pet management issues. Police will also report services that provide incorrect information on dog breeds to the agricultural commission and assist in canceling illegal authorizations.
Three suspects have since been detained for running services that registered “fierce” dogs, including issuing vaccination certificates. Two suspects, surnamed Huang and Gao, have allegedly made over RMB60,000 already by providing these illegal services. As such, authorities have annulled all illegally obtained dog licenses.
Earlier this month, a 65-year-old man in Guangzhou’s Baiyun district died after being attacked by three rottweilers outside of his company. The owner of the rottweilers, as well as the company's legal representative were both detained as a result.
As the temperature continues to increase, the frequency of dog-related incidents is also rising. According to Kankanews, on July 14 alone, a hospital in Shanghai received nearly 350 patients who were injured by dogs. Some were even attacked by their own pets.
READ MORE: How to Register Your Dog in Shanghai
[Cover image via Pixabay]
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