Stray Dogs are Being Be‌‌a‌t‌e‌n to D‌e‌at‌h and D‌ro‌wn‌ed By Authorities in Chinese City

Officials in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China started their crackdown on stray dogs and videos showing the officers’ harsh treatment are circulating on social media.

In the new pet regulation, pet owners can only walk their dogs before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. They must also clean up after their pet and stay out of heavily public places such as parks and markets. Dogs must be on their leash at all times during walks.

Failing to follow the new rules will result in the owner receiving a fine of up to 1,000 yuan ($144) and their dog license potentially revoked, according to Shanghaiist.

However, if an owner with an unlicensed dog gets caught, he/she may face a maximum fine of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,440) and their pet will also be taken by officials.

While the new rules sound like any other standard regulations imposed by local city governments, videos of how officers treat stray dogs have caused quite a stir online. Many animal lovers protested the harsh treatment of dogs, including be‌ati‌ng and dro‌wn‌in‌g the canines.

Meanwhile, police have also reportedly went door-to-door to check on residents and make sure that their dogs are registered.

As part of this new regulation, the Hangzhou city government also released a list of 34 dog breeds that are now considered to be il‌le‌ga‌l, as translated by Shanghaiist:

“Tibetan Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Borzoi, Bull Terrier, English Mastiff, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Afghan Hound, Pointer, Weimaraner, Bloodhound, Basenji, Bulldog, Akita, Newfoundland, Bedlington Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Irish Setter, Greyhound, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Dobermann, Belgian Shepherd, Boxer, Chinese Rural Dog, and any mixed breeds of the aforementioned.”

The massive crackdown ignited a month after a mother was be‌at‌e‌n‌ by a dog owner in front of her children after she kick‌ed the man’s dog for terro‌rizin‌g her son.

Featured Image Screenshot via Twitter / @emma79001 (Left), Shanghaiist (Right)

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