It's one of the most abhorrent practices in the world for anyone who cares about animals.Every year, to mark the summer solstice, thousands of dogs and cats are brutally killed for the Yulin dog meat Festival in China’s southern Guangxi province.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
According to official statistics,10,000 dogs and almost 4,000 cats will beserved upwith lychee by locals and traders who consider their meata delicacy.But in reality, Chinese animal rights associations estimate that around40,000 dogsand 10,000 cats are killed.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
The ultimatehorror of the situation is that the majority of dogs slaughtered in theannualmassacre are stolen from their beloved humans.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
Breeding dogs for meat consumption is rare due to the cost of keeping them alive and healthy, so instead, the streets are filled with petsstill wearing their collars.The terrified animals are then transported hundreds of miles, rammed into tiny cages with no food or water, let alone any space to move.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
Contrary to popular belief, the Yulin Festival is not an ancient tradition.Started in 2009by the city’s dog meat traders, the vendors see the animals as pure money-making machines and thereforekill the dogsin the most barbaricways.The dogs are electrocuted, burned and skinned alive, believing that the adrenaline caused by fear and pain makes their meat taste better.
Source : @Reuters/Corbis
Unsurprisingly, there has been immense pressure from animal rights activists worldwide to shut down the cruel and inhumanefestival.Since2014, the local government has distanceditself from the event, removing sponsorshipin an attemptto scale back the public's attention on the festival.But the Yulin festival still goes on behind closed doors.
Source : @Reuters/Corbis
Over recent years, the consumption of dog meat in China has becomemore and more outdated as the popularity of pet dogs increases.Whilst the country still eats the most dog meat in the world, killing around 20 million dogs each year, the Chinese authorities are slowly realising how badlythe dog meat trade is affecting their global image.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
For the younger generation in China, who are heavily influenced by the West, dogs and cats are first and foremost seen aspets. It is therefore considered a shocking and cruel practice to eat them.Millions of Chinese citizens support legislation to banthe dog meat industry, so it is hoped that the cruel trade will fall into decline over the next few decades.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
On June 21, thousands of dogs and cats will be brutally slaughtered inYulin. So today, we're calling for your help.
Source : @Reuters/Kim Kyung Hoon
To help putan end to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival2016, put pressure on the Chinese government by signing this petition here.Over 4,000,000 people have added their names already. Let your voice be heard now!
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