DOGS IN CHINA

That this House welcomes the positive work for companion animals carried out by the Animals Asia Foundation in China; recognises that their programmes aim to work in partnership with the Chinese government to end the confiscation of dogs within Beijing and the slaughter of thousands of dogs across many Chinese provinces; notes that high volume killing campaigns have proven to be an ineffective measure to control populations of stray dogs and prevent rabies; congratulates the Animals Asia Foundation on its work with the Nanjing authorities to adopt compassionate and long-term solutions through placing stray dogs into the custody of a local animal shelter; encourages the Chinese government to adopt cost-effective animal birth control programmes, which have been proven to reduce the number of stray animals and the incidence of rabies; further encourages the continuation of their positive public education programmes; and requests that confiscated dogs in Beijing are returned to their owners and the offer of free humane muzzles for large dogs by the Animals Asia Foundation is accepted without delay, whilst more constructive and compassionate dog management regulations are discussed and implemented for the benefit of both people and dogs in the community.