The first law on pet raising is being devised in Beijing.

The newly established Beijing Applied Law Research Institute has launched research into the raising of pets and the results of the study will be submitted to the legislation department.

As more and more Chinese urbanites own pet dogs and cats, the number of pet abuse cases and instances of abandonment is on the rise.

The ways to ensure pets and people live in harmony together deserve careful research, said Wang Sen, who is in charge of the research institute.

The fast growing pet industry initiates not just security problems, but also problems of pet trade management, pet epidemic prevention and pet-related goods management, Wang said.

The institute will spend more than one year studying pet raising, said Wang.

Chinese cities are experiencing a "pet craze" in recent years. According to statistics, Beijing alone is home to over one million dogs.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)