In the aftermath of a harrowing incident in Chongzhou, a county-level city in Sichuan province, where a 2-year-old child fell victim to a brutal Rottweiler attack, numerous cities across China are reinforcing their dog management policies.
The incident unfolded on a somber Monday morning when a mother and her daughter encountered a black dog and a white dog in their neighborhood. Tragically, the black dog launched a vicious attack, leaving the young girl with multiple injuries, including a damaged kidney and a fractured rib, as reported by the Chongzhou police.
An investigative team in Chongzhou disclosed on Tuesday that the girl’s vital signs were stable after she was transferred to the West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu for further treatment.
In a bid to raise funds for the extensive medical treatment required, a family member of the injured child turned to online crowdfunding, stating, “My child was badly injured and needs a huge amount of money for treatment. We have no choice but to launch an online fundraising campaign. All we want is her recovery.”
As of 5 pm on Wednesday, the family had collected 1.5 million yuan ($205,000) in donations through the online fundraising platform Qingsongchou, as reported by Shangyou News.
The police swiftly apprehended the dog, and the dog’s owner, surnamed Tang, has been detained pending charges.
The Rottweiler, known for its strength and ferocity, is a breed prohibited in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing, according to Dahe News. Regrettably, it does not feature on Chengdu’s list of 22 prohibited breeds.
This tragic incident has ignited a widespread public outcry, with users on the microblogging platform Sina Weibo demanding the imposition of the maximum penalty. One user remarked, “If these incidents aren’t harshly punished, many irresponsible dog owners will continue to neglect their responsibilities.”
In response to the urgent need to enhance public safety and prevent further incidents, various regions are introducing stringent dog management measures.
In Shehong, Sichuan province, a comprehensive dog registration and licensing system will be implemented. Urban dog owners will be mandated to register their pets and undergo annual inspections. The possession of fierce breeds and large dogs will be prohibited to mitigate potential risks.
Furthermore, dogs must be equipped with identification tags and leashed when outside their homes. They must be under the supervision of individuals with full legal capacity or accompanied by such individuals. A code of conduct has been established, requiring dog walkers to give way to the elderly, disabled individuals, pregnant women, children, and pedestrians.
Efforts to restrain unrestrained dogs are also on the rise in regions like the Ebian Yi autonomous county in Sichuan. Unleashed dogs found in public spaces will be treated as strays and captured, with owners held accountable for any ensuing consequences. Similar initiatives have been introduced in Hefei, Anhui province, where unleashed dogs in public areas will face capture, emphasizing the importance of responsible pet ownership.
