Chen Mingcai, chairman of Chongqing Small Animal Protection Association, urged authorities to do more to prevent the number of abandoned animals from increasing greatly in the city.

A shelter run by the group is home to more than 1,500 stray dogs and cats.

"We have received a total of 300,000 yuan in donations," Chen said. "Yet, our costs are about 80,000 yuan a month."

He said Luo's death should draw attention to people who care for strays in Chongqing. "Most are elderly residents who depend on meager pensions," he said. "What we need is help from society and the government."

He appealed for authorities to improve the laws for animal protection relating to small animals often kept as pets.

About the broadcaster:

Rosie Tuck is a copy editor at the China Daily website. She was born in New Zealand and graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Communications studies majoring in journalism and television. In New Zealand she was working as a junior reporter for the New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ. She is in Beijing on an Asia New Zealand Foundation grant, working as a journalist in the English news department at the China Daily website.

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