CHENGDU: The killing of all dogs and cats by township government officials in response to one probable rabies death in Sichuan province has aroused controversy and public anger.

More than 4,000 dogs and cats were slaughtered in the weeklong campaign that ended on Wednesday.

"The killing was the aftermath of a case of a suspected rabies death," said Chen Zhongzhi, deputy chief of the Luobo township in Qingshen county.