Statement on cases of rabid dog bites in Yunnan Province
Recently, there have been human and livestock deaths and injuries caused by rabid dog bites in some places in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. As of July 25, 360 cases of rabid dog bites were reported in Mouding County alone. Three people died after all treatment failed and 40 domestic animals were wounded. In order to curb the spread of the rabies epidemic and keep the diseases away from the general public, and in accordance with Article 42, Chapter IV of The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases and the relevant provisions of the Regulation on Emergency Response to Major Animal Epidemic Situation, Mouding County authority took the emergency measure of putting down the dogs in the places hit by the epidemic. The situation of the epidemic is now under control. In cases of such measures being taken, China has always stood for adopting appropriate approach.
Killing all the dogs in the region isn’t going to quell the spread of rabies. Some people who consume and slaughter dogs could contract these diseases during the slaughter and consumption of dog meat.
It isn’t fair that all dogs should be slaughtered over a scare. If proper measured were used, for instance, rabies program to educate people about the importance of vaccinations, finding homes and setting up animal shelters for strays, stop the eating of dogs and cats, and passing an animal welfare legislation then the problem of rabies and other zoonotic diseases can be prevented.