China’s one-dog policy, public health, and pet owners
Posted By Damjan DeNoble
Friend and bowling league team mate, Simon Cousins, caught my attention on twitter yesterday when he posted the following;
:PSB swarmed over our downtown residential community just now & have taken away a number of people’s pet dogs.
The resulting twitter conversation also had this comment of note;
: | I know that in Shanghai there is a “hukou” system for pet dogs. Maybe the Beijing PSB was busting undocumented dogs.
I had been aware that Beijing residents were only allowed to have small dogs and that those dogs had to be registered with a “dog hukou”, but I was unaware of the , in place since 2006, restricting Beijing dog owners to the ownership of one dog, and limiting dogs to a size of 14 inches.
The fact this policy has been hugely unpopular from its inception probably explains, in part, why I was unaware of its existence. In any apartment building I have ever lived in, it seemed that if anyone owned a dog, then they owned at least two. And, if the dog owner in question was a middle aged woman, the number was usually three. I always assumed, however, that any dog I saw was unregistered since the dog owners all made concerted efforts to take dogs out only after nightfall.
So, with this weeks reported crack down on dogs in Simon’s building, I was curious to find out the reasons behind the one dog policy. Going in, I predicted that public health concerns figured prominently in the decision and the first few articles I read on the subject confirmed as much. According to this November 2006 article from USA Today,
The official reasons are public safety and disease control: Rabies fatalities leapt 30% in the first nine months of 2006. Rabies became the nation’s top infectious- disease killer, ahead of tuberculosis and AIDS, according to the Ministry of Health.
Taken at face value, this explanation would neatly explain the policies. But, in China, you have to read past the script. Oddly enough, after concluding my investigation into the subject, I find myself in agreement with the Beijing authorities on this one, at least as far as their reasoning goes. Simon, my apologies.
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The first thing I looked to question in the official explanation was the claim made about [human] rabies. It turns out that human rabies is not only a , but that it has been for the past 2000 years. Moreover, by the Chinese Center for Disease control, there have been several serious human rabies epidemics in China’s recent history that, understandably, would have officials somewhat concerned.
During the 55-year [from 1950 to 2005] period, 108,412 human rabies cases were recorded in China. In the early 1950s, only a few cases occurred; the first peak occurred from 1956 to 1957 with ≈2,000 cases each year. Then the number of cases declined during subsequent years …By 1969, the number of cases increased again to ≈2,000…The second epidemic peaked in the early 1980s. In 1981, 7,037 cases were recorded… During the 1980s, 55,367 cases were reported… In the early 1990s, the number of human cases decreased dramatically from 3,520 in 1990 to 159 in 1996. However, this downward trend reversed its course in 1998, and annual cases have increased gradually since then. In 2004, a total of 2,651 cases were reported… This third rabies epidemic apparently has not yet peaked.
The figure [above] shows the number of annual cases from 1950 to 2004; 3 major epidemics of human rabies in China are apparent.
The same China CDS report also lends one additional piece of evidence that lends credence to rabies being the official reason for the one dog policy;
The compiled data also showed substantially more rabies cases in the summer and autumn than in the spring and winter. Similar seasonality was reported in animals (), indicating the pattern of transmission from animals to humans.
It is currently summer in Beijing and the authorities, it could be argued, by cracking down on one-dog-policy violators now, are, in actuality, doing the logical and responsible thing based on the information available on rabies epidemiology.
The second claim in the official explanation is that rabies “became the nation’s top infectious disease killer. This is patently false. AIDS deaths and in China are both much higher than rabies deaths. In the first half of 2008 alone, 6,897 people were reported to have died from HIV/AIDS related issues. And according to WHO figures, 1.4 million people develop active TB and over a quarter of a million people die from it, ever year.
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The more intriguing issue, however, have to do with the claims that were not made. The big white elephant in the room is – how might this public policy have been impacted by Chinese mistreatment of animals?
As far as I can see there are two main culprits that make Chinese authorities uneasy about unregistered pets; the illegal fur market, and a perceived, widespread irresponsibility of pet owners.
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The oft maligned black market fur trade has long been a black eye to the Chinese government. The mistreatment of raccoon dogs by the Chinese in the video below, is an example of how cruel this treatment can be. This pretty much speaks for itself, and I will not comment on it further, except to say that the existence of practices like these could be considered embarrassing by a government trying to establish itself as a premiere world leader.
Take a Look Inside the Chinese Fur Trade
(But, just so no one thinks I am wrongly picking on Chinese people, let me remind all Americans that we were once the proud fans of Michael Vick.)
had the following to say about Chinese pet owners in Beijing, and sheds some light on why Chinese authorities are dubious about allowing people to register multiple pets, or to purchase any particularly big ones;
Just weeks after bringing cats and dogs home, many residents realise they are too much like hard work and abandon them on the street. The phenomenon is expected to be at its worst after the Lunar New Year holiday which begins on January 29, heralding the Year of the Dog, which makes canines an auspicious seasonal gift… …”New year is twice as bad. Pick a year and then pick the animal,” said Carol Wolfson, founder and director of Second Chance Animal Aid “Pet stores pump them full of antibiotics to make them look cute and then they die a few weeks later. Or else owners just put them out on the street when they’ve had enough,” Wolfson told Reuters… …Abandoned animals are the dark side of the explosion of pet ownership across China in recent years. The national pet population hit nearly 300 million in 2004, up 20 percent from 1999, according to state media… ..Some so-called animal protection organisations are not so altruistic — many have been found to be selling the cats and dogs they gather to restaurants, with dogmeat widely believed to keep out the cold in winter.
300 million pets is a hard number to fathom – one pet for every American. If even a modest fraction of these pets is being abandoned without the proper anti-biotics and without being domesticated, the implications for public health are serious. More than simply becoming an annoyance for city car owners-
: The dog-pee protection strategies of Beijing residents:
- abandoned animals, like rats, can become disease carriers. In a world already under threat from new H#N# viruses, this is a threat to be considered seriously. Also, how unfair is this to the pets?
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One could argue, however, that if authorities have recognized the illegal fur trade and irresponsible pet owners to be the culprits, then why punish all pet owners? Why not concentrate on stemming illegal fur trade, the lesser of two evils?
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I do not have an opinion or a definite answer (as far as I know there might be a lot of actions being taken to stem the fur trade), but I suspect that the answers are complicated for this country which can hardly find the resource to manage 1.5 billion people, let alone another 300 million pets.
__________________________
For the time being, all one can do is comply with regulations, or hope to sneak past enough pet authority raids to ensure their pet a natural end. One way or the other, comply or not, do not expect any mercy from the authorities – the public health justifications seem sound enough, but the authorities have never been known for their subtlety in enforcing public health mandates.
@Damjan_DeNoble now and then, local govt pays “mercenaries” to cull dogs – 20 RMB / hound – as an anti-rabies measure; also a 1 dog policy
But the ethics of paying others to enforce the law is an issue I will leave open for debate…
About the Author
Damjan Denoble
Damjan is in his second year at the University of Michigan Law School, where he is working with clients involved in the micro-finance and telecom industries. Before coming to Ann Arbor, he spent several years living and working in China. Last summer he clerked at the Seattle offices of Harris & Moure, a boutique international law firm best known for its widely respected China Law Blog. He received his BA in Public Policy, with a concentration in health policy, from Duke University. He and James Flanagan founded Asia Healthcare Blog, in 2009.
There is a very good update on requirements for registering dogs in Beijing by the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS).
They posted the regs on their web site:
Scroll to the bottom and you can download the guldelines. This is the only place I have seen the dog registration policies explained clearly and in English.
Thank you Jeff. Thank you also to “servethepets” on TheBeijinger, who may or may not be Jeff Adams for providing a transcript of those regulations which I reproduce below……
Dog Registration Regulations – May 2009 update on the laws in Beijing
Official Dog registration and licensing period in Beijing:
• All dogs in Beijing municipality must be registered. There are no exceptions. The law applies to dogs owned by diplomats as well as to service dogs.
• The registration period for all dogs in BJ municipality runs from May 1st to early-June each year. The dog license will be valid this year from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. If you registered your dog during any other month in 2008 or 2009, (e.g., September 2008 or January 2009, etc.), your registration will still expire on May 1, 2009.
• The Public Security Bureau (PSB) administers dog registrations and issues the licenses. Please check with your local PSB if you have any specific questions concerning registration of dogs in your neighborhood. Each local PSB precinct (Pai Chu Suo) will have the final say on registration of dogs within their neighborhoods.
Size Restrictions on Dogs and Registering Multiple Dogs:
• Dogs registered within the 8 major districts of Beijing Municipality (e.g., Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan) must not be taller than 35 cm from the ground to shoulder.
• Only one dog may be registered per household address. If you own multiple dogs, you will need a second household address to register the second dog.
Initial Registration of your Dog:
• If you are registering your dog for the very first time, you DO NOT NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION to the PSB. Explain to the police that you are registering your dog FOR THE FIRST TIME.
• The PSB’s assumption is that newly adopted dogs or puppies have not yet been rabies vaccinated by the new owner. Once you pay for the registration and receive your license, you are eligible to go to an officially designated animal vaccination hospital for a FREE or significantly discounted rabies vaccination.
• The International Center for Veterinary Services is an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. Dogs registered in Chaoyang District are eligible for a FREE rabies vaccination with proof of valid license and the “fa piao” (official receipt) from the PSB.
• All registered dogs with valid licenses from any other districts are eligible for discounted rabies and other vaccinations. This is part of ICVS’ program to reward dog owners that have registered their dogs. The law requires all dogs in China to be rabies vaccinated each year. China does NOT recognize the 3-year vaccinations of pets vaccinated in other countries.
• If your dog is spayed or neutered at an officially licensed and registered animal hospital such as ICVS, the hospital can issue you an official BJ “Spay/Neuter Certificate.” This spay/neuter certificate entitles the owner to a 50% discount on the initial registration fee at the PSB (e.g., RMB 1,000.00 initial fee, reduced to RMB 500.00)
Annual Renewal of Dog Registration Licenses:
• If you have already registered your dog last year, please ensure that you renew the registration for 2009/2010.
• All registered dogs must have their registrations renewed during the month of May each year.
• If you spayed or neutered your dog after the initial registration, your official “Spay/Neuter Certificate” from ICVS will entitle you to a discount on the registration renewal fee at the PSB. Check with your local PSB for details and restrictions.
• To RENEW the license, you will need to prove to your local PSB that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies at an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. The PSB will ask you for an official vaccination immunity certificate (vaccination red book) before renewing the license.
• See a photo of the official vaccination immunity certificate (red book) at the ICVS web site: , or )
• For step-by-step instructions on how to “Register Dogs in Beijing,” please download the FREE document from the ICVS web site:
International Center for Veterinary Services
No. 29 Liang Ma Qiao Lu, An Jia Lou
Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC 100125
Tel: (8610) 8456-1939/1940/1941
Fax: (8610) 6433-2301
Email: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com
Web site:
BRAVE POST D.! (I know a country where they will chase you down for being… noble). I hope I’m not the only one seeing the hypocrisy: In a country where they kill 8 months living fetuses — or let them die in buckets (is it from here that the expression “to kick the bucket” comes from…? or they wanted to give it their own connotation?) if they don’t succeed to kill them w the injection (I’m talking about the 1 child/family policy and how far they can go to be sure the rule is respected — as described in “China road” by Rob Gifford), they fear rabies is such a big killer? There is a vaccine you can take (into your stomach) to kill the rabies viruses — but I will so like to see them to find a shot to “reverse engineer” (since they are so good at it) the provoked abortions on women with terminal stage pregnancies… This reminds me of the forced controls that young women were forced to suffer in Romania under the communist regime: virgins or not school girls were forced!!! to accept gynecological control in schools; or WORST: in factories, women were aligned and same treatment they were getting (all at once, maybe more than 100 women at the time — like they were all casting for “menage a… N” movie; LEAVING HOME WITH SOMEBODY ELSE PANTIES most of the time!!!) As for the poor animals… I know that horrible movie (is at least 2 years old) and still makes me sick (and let it be said I wanted to be a surgeon at one point and I’ve seen… many things — that will also make a great subject, but… some other time); at least when is dead, is dead (“Los muertos a la tumba, los vivos a la rumba” = “Dead people go into the grave, living ones go for dancing”), but if you can be such a beast and treat a poor living creature like that, be sure you’re not a candidate for babysitting my kids (not even if you do it for free). BUT the sad part is that something similar happened in Romania about 8 years ago if I remember well, when Basescu was the general mayor of Bucharest. Now, he’s the president of Romania!!! I wonder how did the people vote him!?! when previously they were cursing him for sending his special troupes who were beating and hanging and killing dogs RAISED BY US, the people living in the blocks!!! And all the slaughter was happening under the eyes of people, and worst: kids that were out playing and that were… friends with those dogs and their puppies!!! I’ve seen it happening twice where I live, and no petition was strong enough to make them stop. Aggression towards human race, aggressions towards animals… Thank G.od that “wo chi su” (“I’m a vegetarian”). Want to also know about the medical system? Treatments applied to the living people in Romania, and I’m sure is same in China… Plus, the H#N# issue… makes me laugh, because is not an accident!!! Witnessed also the so called disinfection process in Ro, when the H5N1 stroke. Hahahaha! What a bluff! They killed healthy animals in many villages and put restrictions as for entering (I know that as well, I was raised in the country side…) — the problem was how to take advantage of the news in order to make meat imports successful or some slaughter houses successful. There was no damn virus there, but they terrorized my village!! (oh, there are some many things playing in front of us, but the eyes cannot see…) Can somebody explain to me how the H1N1 virus did that “promenade” in Switzerland by train (passenger train!!!), and the recipient containing it just simply… cracked? — Uhum, right… == I think this things were crying to be told, and what better occasion when we witness injustice (let’s say “injustice”, because I’m trying hard not to use $%^&@#$ words).
My Good Lord…you stunned me for a couple of minutes at the conclusion of that gruesome clip’s playback…what shocked the most was how China’s poverty is so bitingly endemic that the men doing the obvious culling, slashing, thrashing, ravaging, torturing, and tearing of still-alive canine flesh seem to be clad in their everyday work/casual wear. The blood and animal fluids ooze out over their jackets and pants and this doesn’t seem to phase them. In fact, they seem to be enjoying themselves. The worst bit was the still-alive dog lolling about on the carcass heap. Indeed, it made my blood boil. ::: I’m having the shivers just recalling it now having viewed the clip a couple of hours ago. ::: Are we North American-born truly from the weaker hemisphere?
There were a couple of points I’d wanted to mention, which instantly came to mind:
1) The Nanjing Massacre: The revulsion that we — as viewers — had for the men who were stomping on the poor dogs’ heads in an effort to asphyxiate them more quickly, is the same repugnance and visceral hatred the Chinese feel on every anniversary of the 1937 national trauma. I’ve read enough anecdotes, not to mention reading enough post-Yugoslavia shock literature, and all manner of horrific accounts of Tsarist Pale-era pogroms in Ukraine (where pregnant women were gutted, with terrified cats in heat stuffed back into their empty womb cavities only to be sewn back up, I kid you not, I couldn’t make this stuff up). Once a foreigner grasps this, one clearly understands what makes the locals’ furious in recalling that tragic ignominy (n.b. I’m surprised someone hasn’t done up a good feature film about this — indeed the hottest of political hot potatoes).
2) Isolated case?: Whenever I watch these sorts of clips, I’m always questioning the motive. Equivalent to the ecclesiastical “devil’s advocate,” I want to know what’s the scale. This is taking place in the clear light of day on the Beijing/Shanghai streets? If yes, what does that say about the rest of the people. Is it like James MacGregor writes in ONE BILLION CUSTOMERS: “The Chinese believe in nothing but money.”
Though I’m rocked to my core after watching this — which, by the way makes for a more impactful read, and my compliments to you for having the courage to attach it — your candour coupled with the reportage are not only highly skilful, but much appreciated. Thank you.
[...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!I see from all the Twittering going on that the one dog policy is being enforced in Beijing – at this fast approaching “sensitive” time of the year. For an intelligent analysis – unlike my doggerel effort (couldn’t resist that) – check out the smart Asia Health Care Blog. [...]
The fact this policy has been hugely unpopular from its inception probably explains, in part, why I was unaware of its existence. In any apartment building I have ever lived in, it seemed that if anyone owned a dog, then they owned at least two. And, if the dog owner in question was a middle aged woman, the number was usually three. I always assumed, however, that any dog I saw was unregistered since the dog owners all made concerted efforts to take dogs out only after nightfall. 
There is a very good update on requirements for registering dogs in Beijing by the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS).
They posted the regs on their web site:
Scroll to the bottom and you can download the guldelines. This is the only place I have seen the dog registration policies explained clearly and in English.
Thank you Jeff. Thank you also to “servethepets” on TheBeijinger, who may or may not be Jeff Adams for providing a transcript of those regulations which I reproduce below……
Dog Registration Regulations – May 2009 update on the laws in Beijing
Official Dog registration and licensing period in Beijing:
• All dogs in Beijing municipality must be registered. There are no exceptions. The law applies to dogs owned by diplomats as well as to service dogs.
• The registration period for all dogs in BJ municipality runs from May 1st to early-June each year. The dog license will be valid this year from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. If you registered your dog during any other month in 2008 or 2009, (e.g., September 2008 or January 2009, etc.), your registration will still expire on May 1, 2009.
• The Public Security Bureau (PSB) administers dog registrations and issues the licenses. Please check with your local PSB if you have any specific questions concerning registration of dogs in your neighborhood. Each local PSB precinct (Pai Chu Suo) will have the final say on registration of dogs within their neighborhoods.
Size Restrictions on Dogs and Registering Multiple Dogs:
• Dogs registered within the 8 major districts of Beijing Municipality (e.g., Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan) must not be taller than 35 cm from the ground to shoulder.
• Only one dog may be registered per household address. If you own multiple dogs, you will need a second household address to register the second dog.
Initial Registration of your Dog:
• If you are registering your dog for the very first time, you DO NOT NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION to the PSB. Explain to the police that you are registering your dog FOR THE FIRST TIME.
• The PSB’s assumption is that newly adopted dogs or puppies have not yet been rabies vaccinated by the new owner. Once you pay for the registration and receive your license, you are eligible to go to an officially designated animal vaccination hospital for a FREE or significantly discounted rabies vaccination.
• The International Center for Veterinary Services is an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. Dogs registered in Chaoyang District are eligible for a FREE rabies vaccination with proof of valid license and the “fa piao” (official receipt) from the PSB.
• All registered dogs with valid licenses from any other districts are eligible for discounted rabies and other vaccinations. This is part of ICVS’ program to reward dog owners that have registered their dogs. The law requires all dogs in China to be rabies vaccinated each year. China does NOT recognize the 3-year vaccinations of pets vaccinated in other countries.
• If your dog is spayed or neutered at an officially licensed and registered animal hospital such as ICVS, the hospital can issue you an official BJ “Spay/Neuter Certificate.” This spay/neuter certificate entitles the owner to a 50% discount on the initial registration fee at the PSB (e.g., RMB 1,000.00 initial fee, reduced to RMB 500.00)
Annual Renewal of Dog Registration Licenses:
• If you have already registered your dog last year, please ensure that you renew the registration for 2009/2010.
• All registered dogs must have their registrations renewed during the month of May each year.
• If you spayed or neutered your dog after the initial registration, your official “Spay/Neuter Certificate” from ICVS will entitle you to a discount on the registration renewal fee at the PSB. Check with your local PSB for details and restrictions.
• To RENEW the license, you will need to prove to your local PSB that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies at an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. The PSB will ask you for an official vaccination immunity certificate (vaccination red book) before renewing the license.
• See a photo of the official vaccination immunity certificate (red book) at the ICVS web site: , or )
• For step-by-step instructions on how to “Register Dogs in Beijing,” please download the FREE document from the ICVS web site:
International Center for Veterinary Services
No. 29 Liang Ma Qiao Lu, An Jia Lou
Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC 100125
Tel: (8610) 8456-1939/1940/1941
Fax: (8610) 6433-2301
Email: ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com
Web site:
BRAVE POST D.! (I know a country where they will chase you down for being… noble). I hope I’m not the only one seeing the hypocrisy: In a country where they kill 8 months living fetuses — or let them die in buckets (is it from here that the expression “to kick the bucket” comes from…? or they wanted to give it their own connotation?) if they don’t succeed to kill them w the injection (I’m talking about the 1 child/family policy and how far they can go to be sure the rule is respected — as described in “China road” by Rob Gifford), they fear rabies is such a big killer? There is a vaccine you can take (into your stomach) to kill the rabies viruses — but I will so like to see them to find a shot to “reverse engineer” (since they are so good at it) the provoked abortions on women with terminal stage pregnancies… This reminds me of the forced controls that young women were forced to suffer in Romania under the communist regime: virgins or not school girls were forced!!! to accept gynecological control in schools; or WORST: in factories, women were aligned and same treatment they were getting (all at once, maybe more than 100 women at the time — like they were all casting for “menage a… N” movie; LEAVING HOME WITH SOMEBODY ELSE PANTIES most of the time!!!) As for the poor animals… I know that horrible movie (is at least 2 years old) and still makes me sick (and let it be said I wanted to be a surgeon at one point and I’ve seen… many things — that will also make a great subject, but… some other time); at least when is dead, is dead (“Los muertos a la tumba, los vivos a la rumba” = “Dead people go into the grave, living ones go for dancing”), but if you can be such a beast and treat a poor living creature like that, be sure you’re not a candidate for babysitting my kids (not even if you do it for free). BUT the sad part is that something similar happened in Romania about 8 years ago if I remember well, when Basescu was the general mayor of Bucharest. Now, he’s the president of Romania!!! I wonder how did the people vote him!?! when previously they were cursing him for sending his special troupes who were beating and hanging and killing dogs RAISED BY US, the people living in the blocks!!! And all the slaughter was happening under the eyes of people, and worst: kids that were out playing and that were… friends with those dogs and their puppies!!! I’ve seen it happening twice where I live, and no petition was strong enough to make them stop. Aggression towards human race, aggressions towards animals… Thank G.od that “wo chi su” (“I’m a vegetarian”). Want to also know about the medical system? Treatments applied to the living people in Romania, and I’m sure is same in China… Plus, the H#N# issue… makes me laugh, because is not an accident!!! Witnessed also the so called disinfection process in Ro, when the H5N1 stroke. Hahahaha! What a bluff! They killed healthy animals in many villages and put restrictions as for entering (I know that as well, I was raised in the country side…) — the problem was how to take advantage of the news in order to make meat imports successful or some slaughter houses successful. There was no damn virus there, but they terrorized my village!! (oh, there are some many things playing in front of us, but the eyes cannot see…) Can somebody explain to me how the H1N1 virus did that “promenade” in Switzerland by train (passenger train!!!), and the recipient containing it just simply… cracked? — Uhum, right… == I think this things were crying to be told, and what better occasion when we witness injustice (let’s say “injustice”, because I’m trying hard not to use $%^&@#$ words).
Hi Damjan,
My Good Lord…you stunned me for a couple of minutes at the conclusion of that gruesome clip’s playback…what shocked the most was how China’s poverty is so bitingly endemic that the men doing the obvious culling, slashing, thrashing, ravaging, torturing, and tearing of still-alive canine flesh seem to be clad in their everyday work/casual wear. The blood and animal fluids ooze out over their jackets and pants and this doesn’t seem to phase them. In fact, they seem to be enjoying themselves. The worst bit was the still-alive dog lolling about on the carcass heap. Indeed, it made my blood boil. ::: I’m having the shivers just recalling it now having viewed the clip a couple of hours ago. ::: Are we North American-born truly from the weaker hemisphere?
There were a couple of points I’d wanted to mention, which instantly came to mind:
1) The Nanjing Massacre: The revulsion that we — as viewers — had for the men who were stomping on the poor dogs’ heads in an effort to asphyxiate them more quickly, is the same repugnance and visceral hatred the Chinese feel on every anniversary of the 1937 national trauma. I’ve read enough anecdotes, not to mention reading enough post-Yugoslavia shock literature, and all manner of horrific accounts of Tsarist Pale-era pogroms in Ukraine (where pregnant women were gutted, with terrified cats in heat stuffed back into their empty womb cavities only to be sewn back up, I kid you not, I couldn’t make this stuff up). Once a foreigner grasps this, one clearly understands what makes the locals’ furious in recalling that tragic ignominy (n.b. I’m surprised someone hasn’t done up a good feature film about this — indeed the hottest of political hot potatoes).
2) Isolated case?: Whenever I watch these sorts of clips, I’m always questioning the motive. Equivalent to the ecclesiastical “devil’s advocate,” I want to know what’s the scale. This is taking place in the clear light of day on the Beijing/Shanghai streets? If yes, what does that say about the rest of the people. Is it like James MacGregor writes in ONE BILLION CUSTOMERS: “The Chinese believe in nothing but money.”
Though I’m rocked to my core after watching this — which, by the way makes for a more impactful read, and my compliments to you for having the courage to attach it — your candour coupled with the reportage are not only highly skilful, but much appreciated. Thank you.
From Prague,
ADM
@Adam Daniel Mezei
UPDATE: I wonder what happened during early-’90s Bucharest as part of the dog cull. I just asked a close friend, but perhaps you knew?
I am not familiar…let me know if you find any interesting correlations.
[...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!I see from all the Twittering going on that the one dog policy is being enforced in Beijing – at this fast approaching “sensitive” time of the year. For an intelligent analysis – unlike my doggerel effort (couldn’t resist that) – check out the smart Asia Health Care Blog. [...]