Dog owners need greater sense of responsibility

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT in Bazhong, Sichuan province in Southwest China, has reportedly issued an order to hunt and kill all stray dogs, as well as large and ferocious dogs that have not been vaccinated. This has triggered a heated online debate. Comments:

This order could mean catastrophe for pet dogs, and certainly does for stray dogs. For such an order, we need to ask whether it followed proper legal procedure before being issued, such as holding a public hearing to solicit people's opinions. If not, such an order will only get caught up in endless debate without the legal support. Besides, for stray dogs it is not a solution to hunt and kill them. Instead not only should they be included in feedlots to end their vagabond life. Standardized management should also be put on the agenda, which tests the wisdom of the city governor.

Wenming.cn, Aug 26