Should households be restricted to one dog only?

[kwicky]

China has recently implemented a maximum of 1 dog per household which follows on from the successful 1 child per household policy. The growing numbers of dogs there means more control of rabies and with the banning of ferocious breeds protects its citizens from harm. In the UK rabies is almost unheard of but with the free movement of people in the expanded European Union some suggest it will be just a matter of time before it appears on our shores. Should we follow China's lead and pre-empt what could in future could be a serious problem?

[aka pixi]

I live in a council house and have done for over 20 years. The rule has always been one dog/cat per house. No one follows the rule and as far as I know no one checks up on the rule, we ourselves have 3 cats. I cant imagine how the rule would be implemented if it ever did come into force.

[indieanna86]

The UK is one of the few countries in the world classed as a rabies free zone and from what I know every dog that enters this country must be vaccinated against it.
If we were restricted to one dog per household there would be an awful lot of homeless dogs out there. Does that mean that those who already have more than one would need to give them up? Nah, it'll never happen.

Plus its no fun just having one pet! :p

[kwicky]

We are only 21 miles from a country that has the occasional outbreak of rabies. Illegal immigration in the UK is said to exceed 1,000,000 people. Gun crime increased 10% last year because of guns being smuggled into the country. I shouldn't think the smuggling of pets into Britain poses a problem!

[noxlumos]

The "successful" one child per household scheme they had in China resulted in many forced near term abortions and they herd their stray dogs onto electric fences to kill them so I don't think in terms of either human rights or animal care we really need to follow China's lead really.

[indieanna86]

Even so, it's unlikely and there's no point bringing in a silly policy like that just in case it happens!

[honest_joe]

What possesses people to have more than 1 dog or cat. Dogs are usually uncontrollable when let of their leads in public places. They generally leave their poop in places frequented by young children. They consume resources that would feed many starving Africans. They are a danger to walkers and cyclists. Untrained dogs can endanger young children. Restrict owners just to 1 pet I say whether we are worried about rabies or not.

[Annlinda]

Obviously a dog lover then Honest Joe! lol

[kwicky]

Overpopulation is not only the preserve of human trafficking and immigration. It also applies to the pet animal kingdom.

[kwicky]

Interestingly there was a report in todays Times about rabies. The vet profession are up in arms about a reduced quarantine period putting our country at risk It also explained that their were nearly 5000 cases of rabies in Poland, a new member of the EU, during the last 4 years.
No problem then?