China’s Controversial Dog Meat festival kicks-off in Yulin.
Despite the government’s initiative to discourage consumption of wildlife and pets for meat, the 10-day festival has begun in mainland China.
The controversial annual dog meat festival has begun in Yulin city of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in mainland China. The 10-day annual festival kicked off on Monday, despite the government’s initiative and awareness campaigns to discourage the consumption of wildlife and pets for meat due to health reasons. The New York Post reported that the dog meat festival normally attracts thousands of visitors in the southwestern city of Yulin, and many people buy dogs for the pot that is on display in cramped cages.
Last year of the brutal festival in Yulin?
The activists revealed that this year there has been a major dip in the numbers and hope that this will be the last time the festival ever happens again. Peter Li, a China policy specialist with an animal rights group, the Humane Society International, said,” I do hope Yulin will change, not only for the sake of the animals but also for the health and safety of its people. 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.” The government is also thinking of implementing new norms to ban wildlife trade and safeguard pets. In late February, China imposed a ban on the sale and consumption of wild creatures like bats, snakes, etc. – citing health concerns.
Shenzhen was the first city to ban the consumption of dogs in April. The Agriculture ministry has also revised the dog’s classification from livestock to pets. However, Yulin’s 10 days annual Dog Meat Festival is going ahead as per the schedule and many activists believe that it will take time before it is banned, but it will be banned eventually.
