Street dogs in Ho Chi Minh City.

People who want to breed dogs will have to register with the commune or ward governments, under a regulation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development effective Saturday.

The book should contain all the details of the animals including the date of birth, breed and other characteristics, the date it was received by the family and the vaccinations it has received.

Most local governments in Ho Chi Minh City have finished or are almost done counting canines in their respective localities. But they are waiting for instructions for implementation.

Le Tan Tai, chairman of Ward 6 People’s Committee in District 5, said the regulation will be effective but they cannot implement it right away. “We have only been told to give out the dog management books, but we don’t know how to supervise those books or how to impose penalties for any violation.”

Khuong Tran Phuc Nguyen, head of the quarantine section at HCMC Animal Health Department, said his agency will work with the city Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to set up the instructions and submit them to the city People’s Committee for approval.

Nguyen said implementing the regulations would be more difficult in outlying districts, which are much larger than those in the downtown areas.

Ly Hong Tiet Hanh, vice chairwoman of Ward 7 People’s Committee in District 5, said some locals had laughed at the policy at first, saying it was strange. But when they were told about the purpose, they showed support.

Source: Tuoi Tre