Although this is a tough topic for many, we have to face the fact that, in China, killing dogs for food is not illegal. The notorious Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat Festival even celebrates the eating of dog meat. As a result, activists have been working hard to stop this cruel practice. Recently, The Independent reported that Chinese officials plan to ban dog meat at the 2017 festival.
Every year, activist groups, such as Humane Society International (HSI), rescue hundreds of dogs, which are set to be slaughtered at the Yulin Festival. Typically, vendors slaughter anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 animals during the 10-day event, which begins on the Summer Solstice.
Especially relevant is the point that this gruesome practice is not some ancient tradition. Businesses started the Yulin Festival in 2010 to increase business traffic in the region.
Will China Ban Dog Meat?
The Independent has reported that “a new Communist party official wants to change image of the city and turn into a cultural hub.” Furthermore, HSI claims that vendors who break the new rule would be subject to a fine of 100,000 yuan, an equivalent of about $14,500.
The Humane Society International said that “if this news is true as we hope, it is a really big nail in the coffin for a gruesome event that has come to symbolise China’s crime-fuelled dog meat trade”.
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California-based organization DuoDuo advocates the end of killing dogs and cats for delicacy food in China. In May 2017, they announced on their website:
Breaking news to share regarding Yulin Dog Meat festival 2017. Today I heard from several reliable sources in Yulin that all dog meat vendors will be banned from selling dog meat for one week starting June 15, a few days before the summer solstice day (June 21, 2017, the Yulin Dog Meat Festival Day.) It was clear from conversations with my sources that the Yulin government is serious in enforcing this ban, and anyone breaking the law will be subject to significant fines and possible jail time.
We can only hope that the story coming out of China is true. Only time will tell if officials actually enforce this ban.
Please share your support to put an end to this gruesome event. You can support some of these organizations by visiting their websites:
- Human Society International
- Stop Yulin Forever (Sign their petition here)
- DuoDuo Project
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