Zhang Baoyi, a former director and researcher at the Institute of Sociology at the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized in an interview with the press the need to refine management systems and encourage a variety of stakeholders to participate in societal governance. This approach is crucial to addressing the issue of uncivilized pet ownership and to elevate the level of urban civility.

According to Zhang Baoyi, the cornerstone of effective pet management is a robust registration system, which is essential for obtaining comprehensive data on the number and types of pets. Drawing from international practices, some cities have adopted microchipping to enable responsibility tracking, ensuring that once a pet is registered, the owner is accountable throughout the animal’s life.

This “one pet, one responsibility” system not only safeguards the welfare of pets but also clearly defines the legal obligations of owners as caretakers.

The “Regulations on the Promotion of Civilized Behavior in Tianjin” set certain standards, but their enforcement must be intensified, Zhang Baoyi noted. He recommended that public security agencies, as the responsible authority, should rigorously enforce the law and penalize uncivilized behavior. Additionally, urban management departments should enhance the frequency of cleaning and sanitation in public spaces. In older neighborhoods, property management should step up and improve the public environment by increasing cleaning efforts.

Zhang Baoyi proposed leveraging technology to enhance management, such as developing pet nose print recognition technology or DNA testing to create unique identity records for pets. Establishing pet associations or volunteer groups could promote a culture of responsible pet ownership. A user-friendly reporting system would not only boost civic engagement but also provide a solid foundation for law enforcement.

Civilized pet ownership, Zhang Baoyi stressed, requires both external regulation and internal character development. He urged every pet owner to take ownership of their responsibilities, to clean up after their pets, and to collectively contribute to building a cleaner, more civil city.