Rewards to kill stray dogs in county in northern China sparks fierce debate online
The offer of rewards to kill stray dogs in an area of northern China has sparked a heated debate online, with opinion divided over the move.
People who kill “free-roaming, unaccompanied and ownerless dogs” can claim 200 yuan (HK$235) in Xunyang county in Shanxi province, Thepaper.cn reported.
The aim was to improve order and cleanliness on public streets and prevent people from getting bitten by stray dogs, a public notice detailing the rewards said.
Owners of all large dogs have also been told to get their pets vaccinated.
There were no reports of anybody claiming the reward by Thursday, according to the article.
“You eat well, but they often starve. You sleep on a soft bed, but they must sleep on the streets. Must they be treated so cruelly?” wrote one commenter.
Equally large numbers, however, supported the measure arguing that it was necessary to ensure public safety.
One blogger posted: “Fantastic initiative! We obviously have to prioritise the safety of people over the lives of dogs.”
