Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, plans to build a large shelter for stray dogs, the Oriental Morning Post reported yesterday.

The center, near the city's Banshan garbage plant, will cost up to 10 million yuan (US$1.46 million) and be equipped with veterinary facilities, Shao Gensong, vice director of the Hangzhou Law-enforcing Bureau of City Administration told the Shanghai-based newspaper.

Shao announced the move as a report was being studied by Hangzhou's lawmakers on the city's dog management regulations.

The report suggests fees should be cut or canceled for dogs owned by widowed, blind or handicapped people who rely on them for assistance.

A rule that small dogs can only be taken for walks between 7pm and 7am should be abolished and the time period extended, the report advised. The report also called for rules on the environmentally-friendly disposal of dead animals.

(Shanghai Daily June 30, 2009)