Authorities in the south Chinese city of Shenzhen have launched a campaign to eradicate dogs without proper IDs after two people died from the bites of uncertified canines, state media said Sunday.
So far, more than 1,000 dogs have fallen victim to the city-wide drive to get rid of the threat once and for all, the Beijing Morning Post reported.
The new no-nonsense policies were launched after two people -- a child and a 28-year-old worker -- died from rabies after being bitten by straydogs, the paper said.
In another indication of the extent of the problem, more than 10,000 people have visited clinics this year alone to get vaccination after dog bites.
The paper said the campaign has led to heart-breaking episodes, citing an instance when a senior citizen surnamed Liao took three dogs bred by his daughter to the authorities and asked them to "get it over with fast."
Many locals are left with no choice but to say a tearful farewell to their pets if they want to stay on the right side of the law.
A dog certificate costs 5,000 yuan (602 dollars) and renewal an annual 2,000 yuan (241 dollars), in a part of China where the average disposable income is 9,760 yuan (1,176 dollars) a year – Beijing (AFP)
