Dogs fitted with chips in run-up to Asian Games

Three children caress a pet dog in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. [China Daily]

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhuanet) --More than 40,000 pet dogs in Guangdong's provincial capital will have a special microchip inserted beneath the skin before the 16th Asian Games open in November, police have said.

In addition to the dog's data, such as the date of birth, health condition and vaccine injection details, the chip, also known as an electronic dog identity card, records the name and address of its owner.

Luo Zhenhui, deputy director of the Guangzhou bureau of public security, said on Sunday that the chips will help manage the large number of pets in the city, and police authorities are busy purchasing the necessary equipment and chips. The scheme is expected to begin in two months.

"Injection of the rice-sized chip will be free after the dog owners apply for a dog license for their pets and pay the annual fees," Luo said.

The annual fee for owning a dog in Guangzhou is 500 yuan ($73) for the first year, falling to 300 yuan from the second year.

The chip, which has a 20-year lifespan, will last a dog's whole life, as most dogs have an average lifespan of 16 to 17 years, he said.

"The dogs will not have to be anaesthetized when they have the chip injected, as it is painless," he said. 

With the chips injected into the dogs, police can easily help the dog owners find their pets if they get lost, Luo added.

Chen Cuizhi, a dog owner in Guangzhou's Yuexiu district, said injecting the dogs with the chips was good news for most dog owners.

"I can seek police help when my pet gets lost or is stolen in the future," she told China Daily on Monday.

"With the injection of the chip, dog owners can no long deny it when their dogs have done something wrong," said Feng Chenyang, who was bitten by a dog last month.

Guangzhou has so far granted licenses to more than 40,000 pet dogs since the Management Rules on Raising Dogs in Guangzhou was introduced in July of 2009.

To enhance the management of dogs and provide a better service to the dog owners, relevant departments have jointly opened a special website for locals where they can apply for a dog license, pay annual fees, and exchange views on raising dogs.

(Source: China Daily)