Animal rights activists are seeking to shut down an annual summer dog meat festival in southern China blamed for blackening the country’s international reputation as well as fuelling extreme cruelty to canines and unhygienic food handling practices.
Activists said on Monday (April 4) that they will continue press for the festival to be banned as well as legislation outlawing the slaughtering of dogs and cats and the consumption of their meat.
While an estimated 10-20 million dogs are slaughtered each year, the June 20 event in the city of Yulin has come to symbolise the cruelty and lack of hygiene associated with the largely unregulated industry.
Director of the VShine Animal Protection Association Yu Hongmei said China needs to follow the example of developed nations that have banned eating dog and cat. AP
Activists said on Monday (April 4) that they will continue press for the festival to be banned as well as legislation outlawing the slaughtering of dogs and cats and the consumption of their meat.
While an estimated 10-20 million dogs are slaughtered each year, the June 20 event in the city of Yulin has come to symbolise the cruelty and lack of hygiene associated with the largely unregulated industry.
Director of the VShine Animal Protection Association Yu Hongmei said China needs to follow the example of developed nations that have banned eating dog and cat. AP
