A campaign to rein in unlicensed dogs is now underway from May 20 to August 10 in Jinan, capital of East China’s Shandong province.

The municipal government gives dog owners a window until July 1 to apply for a pet license from the local public security authority without being fined.

On May 19 alone, two cases were reported in which four residents were bitten by unlicensed dogs in the city’s Licheng district.

Tan Yongqing, a police responsible for the city’s dog management, said people bitten by unlicensed dogs are in danger of contracting diseases, since those dogs may not have been vaccinated.

Currently there are around 100,000 dogs in Jinan, only half of which are licensed, according to local police.

According to Jinan dog-raising regulations, residents who illegally keep dogs will be fined 500 to 2000 yuan ($76.9 to $307.6).

Stray dogs found in the campaign will be sent to the city’s dog shelters.

By Zhao Ruixue (China Daily Shandong Bureau)