China tech city dog-walking limits criticised; some question ‘how dogs can get some sunshine’

The eastern city of Hangzhou has sparked widespread controversy by banning residents in its downtown area from walking their dogs during the day.

Under the city’s Restraining Dog Raising Rules, owners of small ornamental dogs in designated “key restraining” areas may walk their pets only between 7pm and 7am. Large dogs cannot be taken outdoors at any time.

The rules stipulate that dog owners must keep their pets on a leash and clean up their excrement immediately.

Violators face fines of 200 to 1,000 yuan (US$30-US$150), and serious cases may result in the revocation of a dog registration licence. In mainland China, people who want to keep dogs in cities must first register them with the authorities and pay an annual renewal fee. Otherwise, the government may treat the dogs as strays and confiscate them.

According to Dahe News, Hangzhou introduced the rule in 1996 and amended it in 2004. There have been no subsequent policy changes regarding dog ownership.

However, many local residents have complained on social media that officials from the urban management department have stepped up enforcement of the rule in recent months.

Some people have speculated that the authorities’ actions are related to an incident that went viral in June.

The case involved a woman surnamed Wang, who took her dog to visit a friend in Binjiang District. The dog urinated on a parcel left outside the door of a male neighbour.

A few days later, when Wang visited her friend again, she encountered the man and argued with him. In a video Wang later shared online, the man appeared to behave indecently towards her in a lift.

Wang was detained after police found that the video had been fabricated.

The incident brought dog management under the spotlight.

An official from the municipal urban management authority told the media that, when they receive a complaint about a pet dog for the first time, they usually warn and try to persuade the owner. They take action against owners who repeatedly violate the rules.

The rules state that owners who need to take their dogs to a veterinarian during the day should bring the animal’s registration licence and immunisation certificate to explain the situation to officials.

There have been calls for years to extend the permitted dog-walking hours. In 2023, an internet user’s suggestion on the local government’s website attracted significant attention. The user urged authorities to take a more humane approach and adjust the permitted hours so dogs could bask in the sun.

The Hangzhou municipal urban management authority replied that it was researching the issue and aimed to revise the rule soon.

Reactions to Hangzhou’s dog-control rule on Chinese social media have been mixed.

“Thumbs up to Hangzhou. This is what a civilised city should be like,” an internet user with the handle @lenggebuleng said, garnering 163,000 likes.

Another person agreed, saying: “These measures, helping prevent dogs from annoying residents and harming old people and children and reducing faeces pollution, should be promoted nationwide.”

But many people oppose the restrictions on dog-walking hours.

“Do you think this is civilised? You still believe this world is only inhabited by human beings? Why do you ban dogs from going outside? I feel sad that the country’s animal protection awareness has not been improved at all,” one internet user commented.

“My favourability for Hangzhou is lowered because of its dog management rule,” another user remarked.