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An estimated 50,000 Chinese dogs have been killed in less than a week. The massive destruction was reportedly in response to concerns about an outbreak of the rabies virus.

According to reports in Chinese and Western media, officials in Southern China strangled by hanging, beat with clubs or shocked to death feral dogs and pets, often grabbing animals being walked by their owners.

Dogs hidden inside homes were lured to bark by intentionally noisy night patrols, ensuring their detection.

Local officials justified the program as an appropriate response to the deaths of three people from rabies and 360 dog bites suffered by residents in the past six months. Rabies is a serious concern in China with some 2,600 deaths reported in 2004. Growth in the disease is linked to the increased rate of dog ownership and poor vaccination practices in China.

Li Haibo, speaking on behalf of the local government, is quoted by the Associated Press (AP) as saying "With the aim to keep this horrible disease from people, we decided to kill the dogs."

In a very unusual move, two editorials in official government publications strongly criticized the action ordered by officials in Mouding, Yunnan province.

"...extraordinarily crude, cold-blooded and lazy way for the government to deal with epidemic disease," said the Legal Daily newspaper.

The tradition of a dog as companion animal has never had the widespread adoption in China or most of Asia seen in other parts of the world. In some Pacific Rim cultures they are still considered a source of food, fur or health remedy.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement in reaction saying they have "…just ordered the cancellation of all orders of all merchandise we sell that is made in China. We are urging everyone to actively boycott, not a word we use lightly, anything from China given the bludgeoning killing of thousands of dogs, the live skinning of dogs, foxes and other animals for fur that is imported into the West, and the treatment of bears and other animals in their tourist parks and circuses."

As we publish this story the AP is now reporting that a second city is planning widespread destruction of its resident dog population. According to the AP, who is quoting the Xinhua News Agency, the eastern city of Jining said Thursday they would kill all dogs within three miles of areas where rabies had been found.

Editor's Comments:

If this story concerns you let your voice be heard by contacting China’s US ambassador:

His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
202-328-2574
202-328-2582 (fax)

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