Chinese wet markets still butchering and selling piles of dog meat despite 'companion animal' status
Chinese wet markets are chopping and selling dog meat ahead of the notorious Yulin festival though dogs have been declared 'companion animals'. The reports of the sale of piles of butchered dogs came into light after animal rights campaigners captured the heart-breaking scene this month at a specialized dog meat market on the outskirts of Yulin city, The Daily Mail reported. The activists also reportedly rescued ten puppies from another market outside the city after spotting them being caged, ready to be slaughtered.
In May, China indicated that it could ban the eating of dog meat after removing canines from its official list of livestock. However, an official order from the government is yet to be issued. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has also called for “some traditional customs about dogs” to change in the country and emphasized that dogs were “companion, rescue and service animals”.
The latest shocking footage has been sent to animal protection organization Humane Society International (HSI). According to insiders, earlier Yulin's dog meat stalls and shops were scattered around the city. However, now they all have relocated to a single location, the Nanchao market, which predominantly offers dog meat rather than live dogs. HSI said that the single location will make it easier for authorities to monitor and manage the dog meat trade.
The Yulin dog meat festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Yulin in Shaanxi province of China during the summer solstice in which people eat dog meat. It is one of the most controversial food festivals in the world since the celebration sees thousands of dogs killed, skinned, and cooked with blow-torches. This year the festival will be celebrated from June 21 to June 30.
One of the animal rights campaigners, Jenifer Chen, said she could not believe her eyes what she witnessed in the dog meat market. “I can't believe that anyone would even want to eat these adorable little darlings. My hands were trembling when I took the first puppy out of the cage. He kept licking my hands, and unbeknown to him I could easily have been a dog meat eater,” Chen said.
The rescuer then also called on Yulin officials to follow the central government's message and close the cruel market. “Like the Chinese government said, these puppies are companions, not livestock, and cities like Yulin should put those words into practice and end this shameful dog meat trade,” Chen added.
HSI also renewed its appeal to the Yulin authorities to take stern measures on the trade. “Momentum is building in China to tackle dog and cat meat trades, and while I don't think anyone expects Yulin's dog meat trade to close overnight, what the activists witnessed could indicate that things are shifting even in Yulin,” said Dr Peter Li, China policy specialist for HSI.
He added: “I do hope Yulin will change not only for the sake of the animals but also for the health and safety of its people. With new cases of Covid-19 tied to a Beijing market, allowing mass gatherings to trade in and consume dog meat in crowded markets and restaurants in the name of a festival poses a significant public health risk.”
You can watch the tragic video here.