At 6 a.m., residents of the capital city of Chengdu Jinjiang were awakened by a rushing dog barking. This is already the twelfth community disturbance caused by the stray dog problem this month. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of stray dogs in the district increased by 174 per cent from 8 during the same period last year. A regional debate on how to deal with stray dogs is on the rise, and this has become a social issue that cannot be ignored in the management of urban communities.
The situation in King's Landing is not an example. According to data published by the City Administration of Chengcheng at the end of 2024, more than 38,000 stray dogs were registered throughout the city, an increase of 21.3 per cent over 2023. Not only are these stray dogs a health hazard in the urban environment, they have also caused a number of safety incidents as a result of attacks. In 2024, a total of 826 stray dog bites were recorded in urban areas, of which 18 resulted in serious injuries, a worrying figure.
In the face of the growing problem of stray dogs, a controversial measure was taken on 15 April by the property industry in the small district of Kingstown: High frequency acoustic dog driveers were installed at sector entrances and catch cages were installed around the sector. The Property Proclamation states that “in order to ensure environmental health and the safety of the inhabitants of the sub-districts, the operation of a special operation for the management of stray dogs shall be carried out from now on”. According to Li Myung, the head of the property industry, within two weeks of the installation, 17 stray dogs were captured and all were handed over to the municipal animal shelter centre.
This practice immediately triggered a strong reaction in the sub-region and the population quickly split into distinct factions. The residents, represented by the retired teacher, Aunt Zhang, expressed strong support.” My grandson almost got bit by a stray dog last year, thanks to someone holding him. These dogs don't care, something big will happen." Nearly 46 per cent of households in the sub-region have minor children, and security concerns are at their forefront.
And the dog lovers, who are at the heart of the "Royal Love Group", express their strong dissatisfaction. Wang Li, the founder of the group, was emotional during the interview: The vast majority of these stray dogs are gentle, and we have been looking after them for the past three years, providing them with vaccines, sterilizations and no incidents of active assault. The high frequency sound would cause great damage to the dog's hearing, which is naked abuse!"
According to incomplete statistics, approximately 120 residents of the small district of Kingstown are permanently involved in dog feeding activities. They spontaneously organized the “Friendly Feeding Station” and invested about $9,000 per month to buy dog food and veterinary services. According to data provided by Wang Li, the sterilization rate of stray dogs in their care has reached 87 per cent, well above the city-wide average.
The conflict culminated on 27 April. In the morning, as property workers were preparing to clear a stray dog's nest in the corner of the district, dozens of dog-loving residents held hands around adult walls to block it. Both sides remained deadlocked for several hours, which eventually subsided with the mediation of the community civilian police. The scene was filmed and released to social media by many residents on mobile phones, prompting attention throughout the city.
Ma Zhi, expert of the Association for the Protection of Urban Animals, believes that the root cause of the problem of stray dogs is the imperfection of the municipal pet management system.” In 2024, the rate of abandonment of dogs in urban areas in the country was 11.7 per cent, which was slightly higher in all, at about 13.2 per cent. The large increase in the number of stray dogs is largely due to the random abandonment and uncontrolled reproduction of pet dogs.” He indicated that, although the regulations governing dogs in the city were amended in 2023, their implementation was still inadequate, with 1721 cases of offences punishable throughout the city last year, compared to less than 2 per cent of the total number of dogs.
The dispute over the city has drawn the attention of local authorities. Chen Kong, Deputy Director-General of the Jinjiang City Administration, said: “We understand the plight of the property and inhabitants of the community, but we must find a balance between the protection of public safety and the welfare of the animals. Expulsion and capture are merely symptoms and root causes.” According to the information received, the District Government has launched a pilot project for the management of stray dogs in harmonious communities, which will invest 6.5 million yuan in the construction of standardized shelters and the provision of specialized catch, sterilization and adoption services.
According to Lee Haitao, an expert in urban Zoology, science-based TNR models have proved to be an effective way to address the problem of stray dogs.” By controlling fertility, stray dog populations will naturally shrink by more than 70 per cent within 5-8 years. This policy has been in force since 1980 in Geneva, Switzerland, and the problem of stray dogs has largely been resolved.” In 2024, under the pilot TNR project in the Wuhou District, the number of complaints from stray dogs decreased by 41 per cent in six months and the number of incidents of bites decreased by 58 per cent.
At the national level, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, issued last year a Guide to the Management of Urban Vagrant Animals, emphasizing that the management of stray animals should be guided by the principle of “respect for life, scientific norms and social co-management”. In 2025, Zhang Cedar, a member of the National Political Consultative Council, also presented a proposal for improving the protection and management of urban stray animals, which was supported by 127 members.
Behind the problem of stray dogs is the collision between traditional management concepts and modern animal conservation. According to studies by the Institute of Social Sciences of the City of Cheng City, 78.3 per cent of the 18-35 age group supports a conservation-based stray dog management policy, compared to 34.7 per cent of the population over 50. Intergenerational disparities significantly influence attitudes towards the issue.
“Whether it is eviction or shelter, it cannot be ignored that stray dogs are also living individuals, most of whom are victims of human society.” Professor Zheng Ming of Sichuan University Law School believes that a systemic solution to the problem of stray dogs is needed, including legislative guarantees, law enforcement supervision, scientific management and social participation.” The ultimate goal is to create urban ecosystems where people and animals live in harmony.”
The dispute over King's Landing continues. On 8 May, a community round table was organized by the neighbourhood councils to invite representatives of the parties to come together to discuss solutions. Despite the controversy at the meeting, there was a preliminary consensus on the establishment of a small-area animal friendly management committee composed of property, representatives of the population and conservation specialists, the suspension of the use of high-frequency acoustic equipment, the regulation of canine feeding points and the implementation of a unified TNR programme.
This controversy, which took place in an ordinary district of Chengdu, reflects the common challenges facing society as a whole in the process of urbanization. When security and compassion, management and protection, and tradition and modernity meet, we need more inclusion, dialogue and wisdom. There is no simple right or wrong about stray dogs, and each party ' s claims deserve respect and every voice should be heard.