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Shanghai: Want a dog? Neighbors' nod first

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-09 09:56

BEIJING -- Residents in downtown Luwan District of Shanghai will now need to attend a hearing with their neighbors if they want to keep a pet dog.

The pilot program has been launched in the district in a bid to avoid neighborhood disputes caused by dogs, the district's public security bureau director was quoted as saying by Tuesday's Shanghai Daily.

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Households that fail to get the nod from all five neighbors will not be granted a dog license, and unlicensed pets will be confiscated.

The trial is taking place at Ruijin No.2 Road police station.

Once a resident applies for a dog license, the neighborhood committee will arrange a hearing between the applicant and their five nearest neighbors who will then vote on the issue after the applicant gives a statement.

"It is a good way to reduce future conflicts caused by pet dogs," said Chen Mingjun, director of the Luwan District branch of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

A recent survey by the Shanghai Statistics Bureau claimed pets urinating and defecating in public were major causes of annoyance for local families.

Currently, a dog owner can receive a license after gathering five signatures from neighbors. Now Luwan District is giving the neighbors an opportunity to sit together, discuss and vote to approve or reject a license application.

In February, the district released rules requiring those who were granted dog licenses to have their pets vaccinated, clean up after them, use a leash, avoid walking them during rush hours and control their barking at night.