A shocking video of a Rottweiler mauling a two-year-old girl in China has prompted a crackdown by local authorities on stray dogs that some argue has now gone too far.
Authorities were initially praised for their swift response to the incident, but netizens soon began sharing accounts of stray canines in their neighborhood being roughly rounded up and, in some cases, put down.
The new directive to clamp down on large, unleashed dogs is being cited as the latest example of a knee-jerk reaction by Chinese authorities that also highlights the country’s long-standing struggle with animal rights and welfare.
“Just because a large dog bit a child, all of them are being hunted down by ruthless security guards and police,” one user wrote on Chinese social media Weibo under the hashtag “Will the biting of the girl bring stigma to a large dog?” viewed by almost 1 million users.
“Such a one-size-fits-all approach makes me really sad,” she said.
Video of the October 16 attack shows the girl stepping out of a residential compound with her mother in Chongzhou, in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, and immediately being chased and bitten by a large black Rottweiler.
The mother tries to shield her daughter from the dog, but then tries to pull her back as the animal drags the child around.
A cleaner who comes to help with a broom also fails to drive the dog away.
A man finally succeeds in chasing the Rottweiler away with a wooden stick.
By that time, the mother is sitting on the ground, crying, with her daughter in her arms.
Calls to add Rottweilers to list of banned dogs after string of attacks
The toddler was admitted to hospital, where she was treated for a ruptured kidney, fractured ribs and bite marks on various parts of her body, several Chinese state media outlets reported.
Authorities caught the Rottweiler and detained its owner, according to state media.
Since then, local authorities in a raft of provinces including Shandong, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Hunan, Anhui have stepped up law enforcement, some more heavy-handed than others.
Stray dogs are the main targets, but pets who are unleashed can also be subject to control measures.
Most local police said they would ramp up patrols to round up stray dogs and fine owners who fail to put their dogs on a leash.
More robust approaches include police in Yanzhou in Shandong vowing to hunt down “mad dogs” and euthanize them.
The country is home to 40 million stray dogs, according to the 2021 China Pet Industry white paper.
In the past, strays have been blamed for rabies outbreaks and authorities have attempted to control their numbers with culls.
In one case that triggered an outpouring of grief online, a small stray dog – known as Xiao Huang, or little yellow – was taken away in a net by security personnel at a university campus in Chongqing and beaten to death, according to state-affiliated media.
Many netizens were perplexed by the decision to kill a tiny dog, whose image is being shared on Weibo with the hashtag “straydogxiaohuang,” with a call for greater rights for stray dogs.
The university said the canine had entered the student dormitory, posing a threat to the safety, according to state-affiliated news outlet Beijing Time.
In Shanghai, images of police officers descending on a local neighborhood and dragging away a German Shepherd also sparked fury online.
Many netizens believe the dog was old and did not pose a danger to the community.
But Shanghai authorities said they were acting on complaints from neighbors about an aggressive dog and that it was “taken in and dealt with,” according to a post on their WeChat account.
This is not the first time Chinese authorities have been accused of being heavy-handed with animals.
During Covid, some pet owners complained that their dogs were beaten to death when they were taken away for quarantine, anecdotes that sparked uproar across the internet.
A number of netizens praised the authorities for taking proactive steps, but most warned against the consequences of going overboard.
Celebrities also joined the chorus of animal lovers to call for better understanding.
Chinese actress and singer Cya Liu, who won Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards last year, called for an end to the killing.
“Not all stray dogs are bad just as not all men are good,” she wrote on Weibo, with the hashtag “voicing out for stray dogs.”
Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre Of Guangyuan in Sichuan wrote on Tumblr-like Chinese social media Meipian that China should be using its development to instill a better sense of social responsibility and a respect for animals in people.
“Beating and catching dogs at every turn. Let the world see what our great motherland is like,” it said.
Cher Finally Reveals the Truth About Her Iconic Hair—You Won’t Believe What She Said!
Cher is a legendary figure who’s been in the spotlight for decades, loved by many generations. Even at 76 years old, she’s still making headlines.
Recently, Cher shared some details about her appearance that might surprise some people.
Even now, Cher remains as popular as she was during the height of her career. She’s currently promoting her M.A.C. Cosmetics collection with rapper Saweetie. In a promotional interview for the cosmetics line, Cher made some interesting revelations.
One of the most recognizable features of Cher has always been her long, silky, jet-black hair. She’s made it clear that this is something she’ll never change. In the interview, she said, “Gray hair is fine for other girls, but I’m just not doing it.”
Over the years, the “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” singer has made many bold changes to her appearance, but one thing she insists on keeping the same is the black color of her hair. She just can’t imagine having any gray hair on her head.
The actress and singer has experimented with many haircuts and colors and has openly talked about using wigs to change her look. She said, “There’s nothing wrong with my hair, but I love wigs and always have.” She also mentioned, “They’re so low maintenance and make it easier to change my image.”
When it comes to the secret behind her timeless beauty, Cher believes it’s more about her mindset than any beauty product or treatment. She said, “You know what? You never stop being a girl. If you never stop being a girl, you’ll never get old.”
Cher doesn’t believe in dressing a certain way or avoiding certain makeup products just because of her age. She said, “It’s all about having fun,” and added, “People who worry about how someone puts on their makeup should get a life.”
In 2017, she did share that she loves taking care of her skin. She mentioned some of her favorite skincare products, like Dr. Barbara Sturm’s eye cream and face wash, Jan Marini products, and Proactiv.
Cher often talks about skincare and said, “My skincare routine is very eclectic. I don’t stick to one product; I just use things I love from different brands.” She believes “a little bit less is more” and now focuses more on skincare.
Whatever Cher is doing, it seems to be working because she looks fantastic. We’re sending her our best wishes!
Share this with other Cher fans so they can learn more about their favorite singer and actress.
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