Pet owners appeal for more dog parks

Local pet owners and advocates have asked for more downtown parks to open their gates to dogs, local media reported Sunday.

There are few parks in Shanghai that allow dogs inside as many parks are afraid the animals will make a mess or otherwise disturb visitors, said Lai Xiaoyu, deputy head of the Shanghai branch of the China Small Animal Protection Association.

One of the few parks that welcomes dogs is Shanghai Sculpture Park in Songjiang district. The park allows dog owners to walk their dogs without a leash for a 30 yuan ($4.80) fee, though the park requires that all of the dogs are licensed, according to a report in the Youth Daily.

"On average, there are at least 20 dogs every day in our park, and the number rises during weekends. Many foreigners drive all the way here to play with their dogs in a free, natural environment," Yang Chen, manager of the park's communication and marketing department, told the Global Times.

Lai said it was reasonable for a park to charge fees for providing these facilities and maintaining a clean environment.

We Recommend:
Cheongsam inspired by women's secret language	Cosmetic surgeries to imitate Michael Jackson	Body painting show attracts public's view
Sexy models and fancy cars rock auto show	'Gangnam style' life of young rich in China	Top 18 spectacular landscapes around world
Wedding ceremony or photography contest?	What are 20 richest cities in China	Flash mobs dance 'Gangnam Style'