In revising the ordinance "Guangzhou Administrative Measures for City Appearance and Environmental Sanitation", authorities have included a provision concerning the soiling of public places by pets.

The new provision states that, "If a pet animal urinates or defecates on the road or in any other public place, the keeper shall immediately remove the feces deposited by the pet animal or face a fine of up to RMB 50."

The revision has been submitted to the Standing Committee of Guangzhou People's Congress for deliberation, and will take effect following approval.

According to the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Urban Utilities and Landscaping, some pet dogs brought into parks by local residents have caused sanitary and environmental problems and interfered with other visitors. In light of these problems, the Administration issued an administrative regulation in 2005 that restricted the entry of pet animals to parks and that required pet-keepers to immediately remove pet feces or be subject to a reprimand and a fine of up to RMB 50 if a private citizen, or a fine of RMB 1,000 if the keeper is an entity. In addition, the pet-keeper would also be liable for any damage caused by the pet in their care.

According to the management of Liuhua Lake Park, the number of cases of pets defecating without the feces being removed by pet-keepers has fallen dramatically since the regulation was issued.

Editor: Yan