Dogs, rules and city living

Hangzhou’s enforcement of a 1995 regulation—restricting dog walking to between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and banning large dogs in certain areas—has ignited a heated debate over urban pet management. With China’s urban pet dog population reaching approximately 53.43 million in 2025, the clash between pet owners and the general public highlights the limitations of outdated, rigid policies. While critics argue that such restrictions unfairly punish responsible owners and compromise animal welfare, supporters prioritize public safety and the needs of non-pet owners in densely populated urban environments. Comparing these rules to stricter regulations in Beijing and Chengdu reveals a broader national struggle to balance public order with the growing role of pets as family members. Potential solutions, such as creating designated dog-friendly zones or focusing on behavioral compliance rather than time-based bans, remain central to the ongoing discourse.