City in China ends ban on dogs

The city of Jiangmen, China, has repealed its total ban on dogs after only nine days but still bars them in public areas, officials say.

The local ordinance was approved in June, and went into effect July 26, Xinhua reported. The regulation, which banned residents from having dogs within the urban areas of Jiangmen, also authorized stray dogs found roaming the streets to be euthanized, the state-run news agency said.

The regulation, issued by the municipal government, was prompted by the more than 12,000 dog bites in the city in 2010, 42 deaths due to dog attacks between 2008 and 2010, and more than 4,000 dog-related complaints police received between January and July of this year.

On Wednesday, in response to an outcry by residents, officials amended the law to permit dog ownership within the city, but still bans them from public spaces.

Philly cracks down on teen flash mobs

A curfew for Philadelphia teenagers will be strictly enforced this weekend after a flash mob attacked two people last week, Mayor Michael Nutter said Friday.

Under Philadelphia's curfew ordinance, those under 13 must be off the streets by 10 p.m. and those from 14 to 17 by midnight. Nutter, in a statement, reminded city residents that teens and their parents can both face penalties for curfew violations.

"I want to strongly encourage parents and guardians to be vigilant and to look out for their children this weekend," he said. "There is no excuse for young people to be able to participate in coordinated, violent behavior if parents are doing their job. It is your responsibility, not the government's, to watch your kids."

The city has increased patrols in Center City where two men were robbed and beaten. One of those arrested was 11.

Police said the young people in the mob appeared to be communicating by text message.

Nutter said he plans a news conference Monday to announce additional steps to curb teen violence.