It said police in Beijing would launch the crackdown from November 16 on "big" dogs and unlicensed dogs, when they would begin to implement a "one dog" policy per family.

Dogs taller than 35 cm (14 inches) are banned except for use by the handicapped.

"Each family is permitted to raise one dog," the Beijing government said in a statement earlier in the week.

"Large dogs, ferocious dogs and the unregulated raising of dogs are not allowed."

Violators face a 5,000 yuan (640 dollars) fine and pets will be taken into custody, it said

Rabies has emerged as a major health issue in China over the past few years. The health ministry recorded 2,254 cases in humans in the first nine months of 2006, up 29 percent over the same period last year.

At the same time, rising wealth in China has led to a boom in dog ownership.

Up to 150 million dogs were estimated to be unregistered and unvaccinated in China, the China Daily reported last month, which would make efforts to wipe out rabies difficult.

Of an estimated one million dogs in Beijing, only around 450,000 were registered, the paper said.

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