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?

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

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: http://www.ICVSASIA.COM, or http://www.icvsasia.com/7/Legally%20Registered%20and%20Officially.html)
• For step-by-step instructions on how to “Register Dogs in Beijing,” please download the FREE document from the ICVS web site: http://www.ICVSASIA.com

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: http://www.ICVSASIA.com

They posted the regs on their web site: http://www.icvsasia.com

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.