City moves to make rabies shots mandatory

The city is trying to pass a new regulation compelling dog owners to get their pets vaccinated as a way of improving public health and safety ahead of the Shanghai Expo.

If approved, the regulation would not take effect earlier than June, at least a month after the start of the Expo, and after millions of visitors have already flocked to the city.

The city's legislative body is working to pass a bill that would penalize dog owners with a 1,000-yuan fine for failing to get their pets an annual rabies shot.