Capital orders dead pets to be cremated over growing disease fears

Beijing residents must have their dead pets cremated at approved institutes instead of burying the corpse, according to a newly-approved animal epidemic prevention regulation that will kick in from October.

The regulation, approved by the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People's Congress on Friday, stated that failure to cremate a pet's corpse could mean a fine of up to 3,000 yuan ($480), the Beijing Morning News reported.

The congress is planning to support pet hospitals setting up refrigerated morgues for residents to temporarily preserve their dead pets, which can then be sent for sanitary cremation.

The annual total of animal bodies and animal products that has to be disposed on in the city has reached 39,200 tons, according to the report..

While there are only four to five cremation plants in the city, there are plans to build 10 more plants in the suburbs, The Beijing News Reported.

A member of staff at Heaven for Pets, an animal cremation center in Beijing, said that the treatment is charged based on the weight of the corpse and the cost is usually less than 1,000 yuan, said the report.

The agricultural authorities, who are also in charge of animal hygiene, stated in the regulations that they would introduce a new kind of certificate that dogs must wear around their necks to show they have been vaccinated for rabies.

Failure to vaccinate a dog can result in a fine of up to 1,000 yuan and owners can be held responsible if the unvaccinated dogs cause damage to others, according to the regulation. But there was no specific punishment listed for not wearing the certificate, The Beijing Times reported.