Editor's Note

Barrier Free Environment Construction Regulations came into force on August 1, 2012. Article 16 states:”visually impaired people bringing their guide dogs into public places shall follow the relevant regulations of the State. Staff working in public places shall supply unimpeded access for them.”

Currently, the ownership of large dogs in Beijing is still restricted and they are barred from public places. Although the regulation has already come into effect, refusing to let a guide dog into a public place can be viewed as violating regulations, situation of guide dogs still barred from public places especially the crowd public places such as train, subway, bus.

Photo Gallery

Awkward Situation

Wang Yan, from the China Guide Dog Training Center in Dalian, Liaoning Province, said guide dogs face a tough time in China, as owners face difficulties when taking the dogs out.

On June 1, Lin, a partially sighted woman, took her guide dog Sherry onto a bus. The driver flatly refused to take them on, and turned the bus off to force them off it. The driver only relented when the passengers came to Lin’s defense. WWW.NEWS.CN reported June 6.
Another dog Betty was prevented from taking the bus with its owner on August 1, even after the regulations had come into force, Beijing News reported August 15.BEIJING NEWS reported August 15.
On August 3 afternoon, Li Yumei and her guide dog were twice blocked twice by staff when she tried to board a bus in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province. She was told that “the company has a rule that pets are not allowed into the station.” Source:dahe.cn

Difficulties

Many public places in Beijing said Wednesday that they are unaware of the new national regulation, which the
State Council passed in July.

"Beijing dog ownership rules say dogs are forbidden in public places. There would be safety concerns if dogs entered the subway," said Jia Peng, spokesperson for Beijing Subway, who also refused to say if he had been notified about the new regulation.

Some bus drivers and shopping mall managers also claimed that they were not informed of the new rule either. 

"Buses are always crowded. So how could a dog fight for space? We never allow guide dogs on board, except during the 2008 Olympic Games," said the driver of an express bus on Tuesday.
Source: Global Times

The regulations do not have specific rules to define guide dogs, lack detailed provisions, does not define public places, and do not have clear penalties for those who deny guide dogs access to public places.

Moreover, the regulations do not specify the sorts of barriers that can impede guide dogs. The size of guide dogs is also a concern, since the owners of many large canines cannot get a license to have them in cities.

Source: The Beijing News

Regulations               abroad

Many countries and regions have social welfare protecting those with visual impairments. Many can get a guide dog for free and the fees used to train guide dogs are shared by governments, NGOs and the public. Over 30 countries have passed laws stating that guide dogs are allowed in all public places, and onto all forms of transport. Their visually impaired owners, however, are responsible for their actions. 

Voices

Guide dog owner:

Chen Xin, a masseur from Jinan, China's Shandong Province, became the first man to own a guide dog in Shandong.

"I used to always depend on my relatives and friends. I will be freer now."

Chen says the dog only listens to his orders and will ignore strangers trying to distract her with treats. 
Source: xinhua

Chen Yan, regarded as China's first female blind piano tuner

"Guide dogs are the eyes of people with visual impairments, and they are a part of each blind person's life. As they have received professional training, they are different from others. I support them," Jiang Wenjing wrote on Sina Weibo.

Ping Yali, who won China's first gold in the long jump at the 1984 New York Paralympic Games, has owned her guide dog, Lucky, since 2007.

"It’s not convenient for me to hire someone to take care of me. It’s not only very expensive, but members of the public may lose their temper. Moreover, visually impaired people need their privacy.”

Opposite voices:

However, some people remain afraid of large dogs in public places.

"Many people do not know much about guide dogs and their importance to visually impaired people. I think more efforts should be done to help the public get to know these animals," said Li Mengzhu, an official with the Disabled Person's Federation of Liaoning Province.
Source: Xinhua