Beijing Lapdogs
They were banned during the cultural revolution, perceived as bourgeoisie. But now pet dogs are making a comeback in China where they are seen as child substitutes.
"We look after our son when it's necessary but our dog suffered a lot before so we love him more", states one woman. For many families limited by the one-child policy, dogs have become the new children. The pet market in China is worth over $2 bn. But there is a downside to the dog explosion. Rabies has become the most dangerous infectious disease in China, surpassing even AIDS. Ten per cent of Chinese dogs are thought to be infected and as many as 6,000 people a month are attacked by dogs in Beijing.
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