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Beijing barking mad
07/08/2007 20:58 - (SA)
Beijing - Rising dog numbers in China's capital are driving residents of the Olympic Games city barking mad about noise, bites and nasty sidewalk surprises, state media reported on Tuesday.
The number of registered dogs in Beijing has topped 700 000, with 100 000 signed up so far this year after an official drive, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Public complaints are on the increase about dogs urinating in the streets and loud barking," Xinhua said, citing a city dog official.
The official complained that "dogs are rivalling human beings for space of movement".
Beijing has introduced a "one family, one dog" policy and last year launched a campaign against unregistered dogs - a crackdown sure to continue as the city cleans up to host the Olympic Games next year.
City health authorities reported that 83 000 people have been injured by dog bites or scratches so far this year, up a third on the same period last year. Two residents have died of rabies from dog bites.
Last year, more than 3 000 people across China died of rabies - a viral disease that nearly always kills unless treated - prompting a nationwide campaign against unregistered dogs.
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