Beijing bans its residents in nine downtown districts from raising more than one pet dog and rules out big dogs or those with aggressive temperaments across the Chinese capital.

Each family in the city's Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan districts and Yizhuang Economy Development Zone is only allowed to have one toy or non-sporting dog, Star Daily said yesterday.

The regulations are jointly issued by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Bureau of Agriculture and the city's Urban Management Bureau.

Those who violate the above two rules will face a fine of 5,000 yuan (US$633.71) to 10,000 yuan, according to the regulations.

People living in the outskirt areas of Beijing are not allowed to walk their dog if it has aggressive temperaments or whose shoulder height surpasses 35 centimeters.

Otherwise, they will face a fine of 500 yuan to 2,000 yuan.

Beijing will further tighten administration on dog breeds, trade, dog shows, vets and other related industries. "They should first get approval from the local epidemic prevention authority and then register in the corresponding industry and commerce administration," said the regulation.

This year, Beijing had 550,000 registered dogs, 90,000 more than last year, according to the city's public security bureau.

The city's urban management bureau has begun a two-month campaign to remove stray dogs from the capital's streets as precautions are stepped up against the threat of rabies.

Beijing health authorities are requiring districts and counties to set up more outpatient clinics to provide rabies vaccinations, and to raise public awareness of rabies prevention among residents.

Although no permanent resident of Beijing has contracted rabies, nine people who contracted rabies in other parts of the country were brought to Beijing for treatment in local hospitals before they died.

(Shanghai Daily November 8, 2006)