China: Activists rescue dog before Yulin Dog Meat Festival
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The terrified pooch was found chained up outside the store in Yulin in the Guangxi province. The Akita had a dog meat for sale sign in front of him and was the last one due to be slaughtered.
Rescuers persuaded the shopkeeper to give him up and have named him Lucky.
He is now being cared for at a shelter in north China supported by Humane Society International, which works to rescue dogs and cats from the country’s meat trade.
The charity believes Lucky was a pet who had been stolen by thieves for dog meat as he was very friendly and used to walking on a lead.
His rescue comes just a month before the notorious Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
Campaigners have long demanded the event, which sees thousands of dogs and cats cruelly killed and eaten, is cancelled.
This year, activists are arguing that Covid is another reason to call off the festival amid lockdowns in parts of China.
Dr Peter Li, China policy specialist for Humane Society International, said: “Lucky had a narrow escape because only one blowtorched dog carcass was left on sale at the shop, meaning he would have been next.
“But Lucky is just one of millions of dogs who suffer at the hands of dog traders across China, and one of thousands who end up in Yulin for the summer solstice event.
“His rescuers say he was super friendly, used to walking on a leash and happily jumped into the back of the activists’ car without hesitation, so it seems clear that he was once someone’s pet, and indeed many of the dogs killed for meat are pets stolen from back yards, outside shops and even from cars.
“Covid-19 precautions add another compelling reason to crack down on dog trade gatherings like this, in addition to the brutal cruelty and criminal activity.”
Liang Jia, a Guangxi animal activist, added: “The streets of Yulin are relatively quiet right now, and although you can see a few dog meat shops, stalls and dog slaughterhouses like normal, it’s nothing compared to how it will look in mid-June.
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“While elsewhere in China, cities are in Covid-19 lockdown, it makes no sense for Yulin dog meat traders to be allowed to encourage visitors to travel across the province and into the city.
“As well as the appalling animal cruelty that will take place with thousands of dogs and cats bludgeoned to death, it’s an obvious public health risk.
“The Yulin authorities should be taking this seriously because it would be hugely embarrassing for the Yulin dog meat festival to become a super-spreader event.”
It comes as the charity has released footage of dogs being held in horror conditions waiting to be slaughtered for their meat.
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