The efforts of millions of animal advocates is finally starting to pay off after years of exposing and opposing the horrors of the dog meat trade in some Asian countries. In particular, the annual Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, China — in which 10,000-15,000 dogs are tortured and slaughtered over 10 days — has come under heat. But the Duo Duo Project, which is dedicated to ending the dog meat trade in China, has just announced some news that’s about to change everything.
According to an announcement they released on May 16th, 2017, the sale of dog meat will be banned beginning June 15th, nearly a week before the Yulin Festival traditionally starts.
Express UK reports that the new law will be “strictly enforced.” (Warning: the article linked contains graphic images from past festivals.) The article states that consequences include fines of 100,000 Chinese Yuan (or about $14,500) and possible jail time.
In addition to the cruelty suffered by animals, the conditions of the trade are unsanitary. Animals cramped in small, filthy cages allow for the spread of disease, which affects the meat and whoever eats it.
The passing of this new law follows the ban of dog slaughter and butchering in South Korea’s largest dog meat market, which passed in December 2016. These laws, which are huge steps forward in the realm of animal rights, is the result of the hard work set forth by animal advocacy groups, protestors, financial donators, and petition-signers (which very well may include you).
According to the story by Express UK, the late Carrie Fisher, along with Frenchie pup Gary, were part of last year’s gathering to present an epic petition to the Chinese government.
“Last year, a petition with 11 million signatures was handed in to the Yulin government in Beijing on behalf of Humane Society International, Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project, RaiseUrPaw, Care2 and Avaaz,” the story explains.
Express UK also reports that Fisher spoke at the event. She said:
“There is so much animal suffering in the world, and much of it you feel helpless to end. But stopping the Yulin dog meat festival and ending all that suffering is easy. All the Chinese authorities need to do is declare it shut down, and the killing stops. These poor dogs need us to fight for them. Every single one of them is as precious as my dear Gary, every one of them is someone’s best friend.”
The Duo Duo Project admits that the transition will not be seamless, but it’s a great victory, nonetheless. They also credit Mr. Mo Gong Ming (莫恭明), Yulin’s new Party Secretary, for “his progressive and modern leadership.” The statement concludes:
While we know there are many challenges ahead and much work to be done to change the hearts and minds of those who eat dog meat, we celebrate this momentous achievement, and we continue to focus our efforts toward putting an end to this cruel trade completely.
It must also be noted that the majority of citizens in China are vehemently opposed to the dog meat trade taking place in their own country. But now, after the momentous news of the ban, animal lovers all over the world can rejoice at the progress that’s been made.
