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New law ensures pet owners use tight leash
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-03-04 10:40 Local dog owners have been
rushing to buy mouth masks and harnesses for their pets, despite the steep
prices, to ensure the animals don't scare other people while being taken out.
This is being done to comply with the Law of the People's Republic of China
on Security Administration Punishment, which came into effect on March 1.
According to the law, owners will be given an administrative warning if their
pets, mostly dogs, adversely affect the daily lives of other residents.
If the dogs intimidate residents, the owners will be fined between 200 yuan
(US$25) and 500 yuan.
The law makes it mandatory for dog owners to buy mouth masks even if their
price is much higher than the ones used by human beings.
At a Lujiabang Road pet store, mouth masks were priced at 30 yuan to 50 yuan
while common ones used by residents were being sold for just a few yuan in
department stores.
A dog harness, meanwhile, was going for more than 100 yuan.
But despite such high prices, the demand has outstripped supply.
A shop assistant said all masks and harnesses at his store were sold out the
day after the law was issued.
"If I want to take my dog out, then a harness is a must," said Shelia Chen,
who owns a 15-kilogram canine named QQ.
"I think seniors and children get easily scared by dogs," she said, always
making it a point to steer clear of those people. "And they will surely demand
compensation."
Joe Zhou, a 25-year-old office worker, welcomed the new law.
"I am always scared when I see strange dogs on the streets," Joe said. "But
if they wear mouth masks, I think its okay because they won't bite me."
And with the new law, Joe said she believed more dog owners will take action
to control their pets. Local courts have, on occasions, accepted lawsuits filed
by frightened residents.
A female surnamed Su filed a suit against her neighbor named Zhang, claiming
that his dog barked at her and scared her. Su said she had heart disease and the
barking and subsequent fears made her uncomfortable.
She had demanded more than 3,000 yuan in medical expenses. The Yangpu
District People's Court rejected Su's demand due to lack of evidence.
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