Pulse

Choosing right pet is a family decision

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-04-12 08:03

Our son is 8 years old and has been asking for a pet. What animal do you recommend for families who have never had pets before?

This is a great question, for which there is no right or wrong answer. First, selecting the right pet should be a family decision. Every pet requires a certain amount of commitment, so there needs to be a balance between your time, energy and finances. You also need to consider allergies and asthma. Remember that the responsibility for the safety of a child and a pet fall on the parents. Naturally curious and rambunctious, children are not always calm and gentle around animals, while certain species or genders ofanyanimal can scratch or bite if provoked. All animals require some level of commitment, although dogs require more than most. However, as it's the Year of the Rabbit, bunnies are becoming very popular and make wonderful first pets.They are cute and cuddly, usually well tempered and lots of fun.However, rabbits aren't recommended for very small children as they require gentle handling and are easily frightened. An adult should always be the rabbit's primary caretaker and should supervise any interactions between their children and the animal.

I take my children to the local park every morning to play, but I'm always concerned about the number of dogs that are running around with no leash and no muzzle. Don't dog owners have a responsibility to keep their pets under control?

Yes, they do. According to the Regulations for Dog Ownership issued in 2003 by the municipal government, all dogs must be kept on a leash in public spaces, including inside elevators and common areas of residential compounds. Aggressive and large dogs also must be muzzled. The public security bureau and chengguan (urban management officers) can levy fines of 50 yuan to dog owners caught walking dogs without a leash. While the leash laws are rarely enforced, keeping dogs tethered is the best way to protect them against traffic and fights with other dogs.

Need advice from METRO's pet expert? E-mail your questions to metrobeijing@chinadaily.com.cn. Please give as many details about your situation as possible. Answers supplied by the International Center for Veterinary Services in Chaoyang district, 8456-1939, ICVSASIA.com.