Beijing mulls stricter penalties for irresponsible dog owners

Beijing lawmakers are considering revisions to the city's dog management regulations that would impose stricter penalties on irresponsible dog owners, including temporary or lifetime bans on keeping dogs, according to a draft amendment reviewed on Wednesday.

Under the draft, anyone who abuses or abandons a dog, or repeatedly allows their dogs to disturb neighbors and refuses to correct the behavior after being warned, would be prohibited from keeping dogs for five years, Beijing Daily reported.

Those who abuse a dog causing disability or death, or whose abusive actions result in serious social impact, as well as owners whose dogs seriously injure people or cause severe public repercussions, would face a lifetime ban on dog ownership.

The draft also proposes prohibiting private individuals from keeping or selling ferocious dog breeds. The list of prohibited breeds would be determined and published by the city's agriculture and rural affairs authorities.