Dog lovers around the world will be dismayed to hear that despite international outrage, the annual YuLin dog meat festival is scheduled to go ahead this week.
What is it?
YuLin is a city in Southern China which has become infamous for the annual event that sees people gather to sample lychee fruits and locally produced liquor, and horrifically, dog meat hotpot. Yes, you read that right. And no, we can’t believe it either. Unfortunately it’s true.
Warning: this video contains graphic and upsetting images. (If you’d rather not watch it, we’ve listed some of the important facts below.)
What are the facts?
- This annual ‘festival’ sees the slaughter of more than 10,000 dogs every year
- 90% of the dogs who are brought for slaughter are stolen from domestic owners or farms
- Dogs will be forced to travel for 3-4 days up to 1,000 miles often in small, cramped cages
- The event was inaugurated in 2009 – it’s not an ancient Chinese tradition
- Dog meat was considered a delicacy in China in ancient times, but this soon fell out of fashion
Why is it still happening?
A recent poll by Chinese news agency Xinhua suggested that 64% of people would support ending the horrible events at Yulin. The local government has ‘distanced itself’ from being officially involved in organising, and so it seems that the event is largely still going ahead because no-one is willing to clamp down and make it illegal.
However, there are some glimmers of hope. Activist group Humane Society International have suggested that the business of selling dog meat is slowing down in China, and they’ve rescued 20 dogs from slaughterhouses. There are also reports that the numbers of slaughters dogs has greatly decreased.
But, there’s still a long way to go. We think you’ll agree; YuLin dog meat festival has to stop. Here are some online petitions that you can sign, with more information about how to get involved, too.