China barks down on illegal dog breeding

A female dog feeds a 10-day-old tiger cub and her puppy at a zoo in Hefei, Anhui province, July 26, 2013. The tigress was deemed incapable of feeding her young, according to zoo authorities. [Photo/Agencies]

China is mulling a ban of sales of illegally-bred dogs to tighten regulations on the dog market, according to insiders.

Only certificated dog centers will be allowed to breed puppies, said Wang Wu, deputy director of China Animal Agriculture Association National Kennel Club, an official organization for dog aficionados.

A spate of ferocious dog attacks has sparked a range of different voices about regulations on dog rearing.

A 6-year-old girl was savaged to death after being attacked by a Mastiff in June in Liaoning province, triggering public calls for a crackdown on private rearing of ferocious dogs.

However, animal rights activists criticized Beijing's ban on rearing of dogs taller than 35 centimeter, citing the law as rigid.

Pet owners should learn to be more responsible especially at dog walking time to avoid possible conflicts with other pedestrians, said Zhang Yue, member of Beijing Loving Animals Foundation.