Residents of the Chinese city of Shenzhen may soon need to put their pet dogs on very short leashes in the name of public security.

The city in southern China's Guangdong Province is planning to ban owners from using leads longer than 20 inches while walking 'medium to large' pooches that are heavier than 24 pounds.

Smaller dogs must be attached to ropes shorter than 40 inches in public places, according to a drafted law.

Pet owners in the Chinese city of Shenzhen may soon be banned from using leashes longer than 20 inches if their dogs are heavier than 24 pounds, according to a drafted law (file photo)

The regulation was proposed by the urban management authority of Shenzhen in a bid to stop pet dogs from disturbing or attacking passersby.

Shenzhen, a city of 13 million residents, has around 200,000 pet dogs, according to latest statistics.

The rule is also due to ban people from keeping 25 breeds of dogs deemed 'aggressive', which include the bull terrier, Newfoundland, Akita and Central Asian Shepherd Dog.

On the other hand, residents are encouraged to get Corgis, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and poodles, among others.

Residents must apply for a license from the government for keeping any dog older than three months.

One family is entitled to one pet dog, the document notes.

Anyone who wishes to have more than one dog must gain approval from its neighbours and residential committee before submitting an application.

Shenzhen officials plan to ban the Akita (pictured), a breed originated in Japan, as pet dogs

The bill, which is under evaluation, also gives the authority the power to confiscate pet dogs that don't have a license.

Urban officers would also be entitled to euthanise stray dogs if they fail to find their owners 14 days after catching them.

'Aggressive' dogs which are rounded up by the officers will be sent to the city's 'special forces' to be used as working dogs.

This is not the first time officials in Guangdong Province have drafted tough regulations to restrict pet owners.

Foshan, a city situated two hours from Shenzhen, last year proposed to monitor the behaviour of dog owners and their pets using China's social credit system.

The Foshan government proposed to add or remove points from the dog owners' social credit accounts depending on how well their pets behave.

The city of Foshan, last year proposed to use the country's social credit system to keep its dog owners and their pets in check. 'Uncivilised' owners would be discredited (file photo)

Chinese people are still learning to appreciate dogs as life companions - whether they own dogs or not.

In addition, many people are unaware of the responsibility that comes with a dog.

Some of the most frequent complaints against pet dogs in China are that they are noisy, they bite people and their owners don't clean after them.

Also last year, the government of Wenshan, a city in Yunnan Province, banned its residents from walking dogs from 7am to 10pm as part of official efforts to 'improve residents' living conditions and maintain public safety'.

The move sparked a heated debate on the country's social media platforms.

While some citizens strongly opposed the ban, others expressed their support citing security and hygiene concerns.

Wenshan authorities defended the ordinance following the outcry, saying this is a precautionary measure that must be taken.