From Animals Asia Foundation亚洲动物基金 (HK)

首席村妇

Dear Sir / Madam,

We are appalled to learn that the Chuxiong Government authorities have recently slaughtered over 50,000 dogs - both registered and unregistered; including those that are vaccinated against rabies – in Mouding County. Since this news was publicised, we have been inundated with letters and phone calls of outrage and complaint - both from our supporters in China and internationally – demanding an end to this barbaric slaughter. Whilst we appreciate your concern with public health and safety issues, such indiscriminate, cruel and reactive slaughter methods do not solve the core problems of rabies outbreaks and control.

A recent report by the Animal Welfare Board of India has shown the results of a study which compares two different methods of controlling rabies. Conclusive results from this study show that responsible “spay/neuter/vaccinate/release” programmes have reduced the incidence of rabies by a significant percentage. “Since 1996, instances of rabies in humans have reduced from 120 to five a year in Chennai” said Dr. K. Manivasan, Joint Commissioner (Health), Chennai Corporation. The study covered two periods; the first from 1980 to 1995 when the killing of dogs was implemented as the method of choice of rabies control, and the second period from 1996 to 2005 after the killing was replaced by spay/vaccinate and return programmes. The results showed a rapid distinct downtrend of rabies after 1996 “and was further proof, if any were needed, that Animal Birth Control/Vaccination is the only sensible way to go to control the street dog population and rabies.”

Similarly, Dr. Francette Dusan, a WHO expert on diseases passed from animals to people, said effective rabies control required coordinated efforts between human and animal health agencies and authorities. “This has not been pursued adequately to date in China with most control efforts consisting of purely reactive dog culls,” Dusan said. Associated Press 1st August 2006.

Furthermore, it is quite impossible to prevent people from keeping dogs, and perhaps more importantly, it is recognised that pet ownership is a vital component of any society. Already, dogs are increasingly being recognised within China as valuable members of society: changing family demographics, such as childless couples and increasing numbers of elderly people living alone, mean that more and more people are turning to dogs for companionship and support. As a result, pet ownership is booming, with just over 150 million pet dogs throughout the nation - one for every nine people. (Xinhua News Agency 14th February 2005).

As with similar studies worldwide, recent research in China, jointly conducted by the Psychology College of Beijing Normal University and Companion Animal Research and Information Centre (CARIC) also concluded that pet owners have better physical and mental health than non-pet owners.

"The human-pet bond is one of attachment and loyalty. When we as a society pay attention to it, we can also benefit from it by improving the quality of life for at least some social strata in very tangible ways. Hopefully our research can help the government in its pet-related regulations."

Professor Zheng Richang, Beijing Normal University.

In recognition of the important role that dogs play in society, city departments in Beijing reduced the licence fee from 5000 Rmb to 1000 Rmb, as of October 15th 2003. Subsequently the number of registered dogs shot up to 410,000 citywide and experts estimate that this represents roughly 90 per cent of the total number of dogs in the capital - all of which are now vaccinated against rabies.

Dogs and other companion animals also provide an important financial, as well as emotional, contribution to China: according to the Beijing Kennel Club, pet owners in the city spend more than 500 million yuan on their pets a year. Experts predict that the annual sale of pet food and accompanying necessities and accessories in China may exceed 6 billion yuan by 2008 and that the market potential for the "pet economy" could reach a minimum of 15 billion yuan.

Embracing dogs as an integral part of our society also has long-term ramifications in the control or reduction of national healthcare costs. Studies by Professor Bruce Headey, at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic & Social Research, puts the amount of national savings in Australia or Germany at billions of dollars.

Animals Asia's successful Dr. Dog animal therapy programme sees over 250 dedicated volunteers and their dogs visiting hospitals, disabled centres, elderly homes, orphanages and schools spreading warmth and love to people in need across Asia. Dr. Dog operates in Hong Kong, Japan, India, the Philippines Taiwan and, most recently in China, in Chengdu and Guangzhou. As a result, we have been inundated with calls from organisations across China requesting visits and from dog owners enquiring how to join this uniquely beneficial programme.

"The delight that Dr. Dog brings to our patients can never be done by medicine."

Professor Jinxiang Li,

The Department of Palliative Care, West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University.

With dogs offering so many benefits to all sectors of society, it is vital that they are treated with the respect and compassion that they deserve. We urge you to readdress the current regulations and to follow the example of other countries in Asia who have introduced wide-ranging protective measures for companion animals and who promote far reaching education programmes of responsible pet ownership, rabies awareness and humane stray dog and cat control. Animals Asia and the groups with whom we work with would be pleased to cooperate with you on all levels to introduce and advise on public education initiatives to ensure that dogs and people can peacefully and safely co-exist in Chuxiong.

In this context, we would like to request an urgent meeting with you to discuss this matter further and look forward to working with you towards a more harmonious relationship between people and companion animals.



Yours faithfully,

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation

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