Key facts
- Chinese courts consider pets as 'movable property with emotional attributes' in divorce disputes.
- Microchip registration is strong evidence of ownership but not absolute.
- Actual daily caregiver often prevails over registered owner in custody disputes.
- Beijing is considering new regulations for dog ownership, including registration and responsibilities.
- Proposed Beijing rules would allow large dogs with muzzles and limit handlers to one dog.
- Fines and bans from dog ownership are proposed for violations like abuse or abandonment.
Chinese courts are increasingly treating pets as property with emotional value, leading to complex custody battles during divorces. The Supreme People's Court (SPC) generally presumes ownership based on microchip registration, but this can be rebutted by evidence of who actually feeds, cares for, and controls the pet's daily life. This approach prioritizes the animal's welfare and stability over sole registration. Meanwhile, Beijing is proposing updated dog ownership regulations to clarify responsibilities and address rising disputes, potentially introducing stricter penalties for violations and new rules for large dogs in public spaces.