Ruh-Roh! Beijing Bans Dog Walking in Public Parks

By Katherine Chen, August 2, 2019

Ruff times for Beijing’s dog owners: Authorities have banned dog walking in parks around the city, as reported by China Daily.

The new regulation is the result of ongoing complaints about unruly dog behavior that puts park goers in danger, such as biting, as well as irresponsible owners who set their dogs loose and refuse to pick up after them.

While some communities in the city have set up services to assist owners in cleaning up after their dogs, others have instead tightened the leash on pet owners, setting further limits on dog walking in residential areas.

The new regulation will be monitored with the help of 1,000 volunteers placed in parks across the city. They will be responsible for calling out those who do not follow the new rules.

Many frustrated residents have voiced their disagreements following the announcement of the new ban, stating that the regulation is too strict and should focus on improving the behavior of dog owners, instead of enforcing a complete ban that makes life harder for them.

This crackdown is the latest in a slew of orders from the capital concerning appropriate conduct in public spaces, most notably parks.

Late last month, Beijing authorities put out a blacklist banning a number of ‘uncivilized behaviors’ in the city’s parks, which includes spitting, littering and even whipcracking (we’re still confused about that one), along with harming nature and wildlife.

[Top image via Pexels]