The village of Reconvilier, Switzerland has resurrected a law from 1904 that allows the village to kill dogs if their owners don't pay a $50 annual pet tax. Reconvilier is a small village of about 2,245 humans and 280 dogs.

A local official told the Associated Press that "This isn't about a mass execution of dogs. It's meant to put pressure on people who don't cooperate."

But rather than cooperation, village officials have received reactions of outrage and even death threats since the news got out.

Dogs' lives shouldn't be in danger over a $50 fee, and threatening pet owners is not the way to get compliance. Ask Reconvilier officials to repeal this archaic law and seek more progressive, humane measures of animal control in their community.

Photo credit: jude