Stray mastiffs pose threat to residents, wildlife

Large numbers of abandoned Tibetan mastiffs are posing a threat to residents and endangered species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and are pushing dog rescue shelters into financial hardship.

The market value of Tibetan mastiffs, a breed known for its loyalty and bravery, was once high, leading them to be bred on a major scale in Qinghai province and the Tibet autonomous region.

But a subsequent collapse in the market led owners to abandon their dogs, which are also well known for their big appetites. The breed, which is vulnerable to a fatal parasitic disease called echinococcosis, or hydatid disease, is putting the health of residents at risk, as well as the survival of some species on the plateau.