Key facts
- Hangzhou bans daytime dog walks for small dogs, allowing only 7pm-7am.
- Large dogs are banned from outdoor walks in Hangzhou.
- Wenshan bans daytime dog walks, restricting them to before 7am and after 10pm.
- Wenshan also banned dogs from parks and public buildings.
- China's pet food industry is worth 200 billion yuan.
Hangzhou, a city in eastern China, has implemented controversial rules restricting dog owners. Under the new regulations, owners of small ornamental dogs in designated areas can only walk their pets between 7pm and 7am. Large dogs are completely banned from outdoor walks. Violators face fines of 200 yuan.
Similar restrictive measures have been introduced in other Chinese cities. Wenshan banned daytime dog walks, allowing them only before 7am and after 10pm, and also prohibited dogs from parks and public buildings. Leashes are limited to 3 feet, and only adults can walk dogs. Officials cited frequent complaints about dog-related disturbances.
Dog ownership has surged in China, with an estimated 36.2 million people owning dogs in 2021, and Beijing alone having around two million dogs. However, pet-friendly infrastructure has lagged, and some cities have implemented limits on the number of dogs per household. Experts suggest historical perceptions of dogs as working animals or pests, coupled with concerns about hygiene and public order, contribute to these strict regulations.