36,000 Dogs Killed Following Chinese Rabies Deaths

Since late May 2009, rabies has killed 12 people in Hanzhong, China, where more than 6,000 people have been bitten or scratched during that time.

In response, the city has killed 36,000 stray and pet dogs in a bid to wipe out rabies, state media has reported.

Animal protection organizations expressed concern over the Hanzhong cull. China's first law to recognize "animal welfare" and include domestic animals is in the draft stage. "Once [the law] gets passed, the abuses of animals, such as the Hanzhong dog killings, is expected to stop," states Chang Jiwen, a professor who is leading the legal drafting team.

Source: reuters