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Slaughter of 37K Dogs Outrages Chinese

Angry response to slaughter highlights shifting attitude towards animal welfare

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2009 6:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – The slaughter of 37,000 dogs, both strays and pets, in a city in eastern China has outraged the country's growing ranks of animal lovers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Dog ownership has become more widespread as China becomes wealthier, and the Hanzhong cull, ordered in response to a rabies outbreak, has been the focus of much angry online debate. All dogs found outside were beaten to death on the spot, whether or not they were registered.

City officials say the "dog-beating teams" were necessary after the outbreak killed 13 people. "Dogs are human beings' friends when they are healthy, but once they are infected they do harm to people's health," an official said. "Human beings' lives are more important." The first Chinese law to protect animals is still in the draft stages.

Chinese residents walk their dogs on the streets of Guangzhou, Guangdong province.  Dog ownership has risen swiftly as China has become wealthier.
Chinese residents walk their dogs on the streets of Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Dog ownership has risen swiftly as China has become wealthier.   (AP Photo)
A law enforcement officer displays body armor with reinforced protection for the arm and a gun that shoots out a net for use in catching dogs.
A law enforcement officer displays body armor with reinforced protection for the arm and a gun that shoots out a net for use in catching dogs.   (AP Photo/EyePress)
A woman feeds adopted stray dogs at an animal shelter on the outskirts of Xian in Shaanxi Province, China.
A woman feeds adopted stray dogs at an animal shelter on the outskirts of Xian in Shaanxi Province, China.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Caps
Jun 19, 2009 1:52 AM CDT
They are a weird bunch of people. Don't they eat cats and dogs in China?

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