Helpless animals are nearing China's Yulin Dog Meat Festival, which has occurred every June since 2009. This is not an easy topic to discuss, but I believe that making the event more widely known may help put a stop to the dogs that are inhumanely killed. I have chosen not to apply images or videos to this article because I can imagine that audiences already understand how disturbing it is. Two questions are commonly asked regarding dog meat. 1. Is eating dog any different from eating pork or beef? 2. Is it culturally insensitive to try to stop this "tradition"?
The Yulin Dog Meat festival lasts for 10 days in which 10,000–15,000 dogs are consumed. Dogs are stolen from homes, streets or taken from dog farms intended for the purpose of consumption. It is believed that dog meat has many health benefits. A CNN report even states that people have admitted they believe dog meat tastes better if the animal is slaughtered when distressed. Apparently, the more adrenaline and fear that runs through the blood, the more tender and better tasting the meat. This is one of the reasons that dogs are purposely killed in front of other dogs. It is another cruel scare tactic that is used for mere pleasure.
So, what's so bad about eating dog if people eat pork, beef, chicken, etc.? Well, after these animals are stolen, bought, or captured, they are then transported for days without any food or water, crammed into tiny cages, packed together and piled on top of one another to the point where they can't move. According to Humane Society International, "they are often sick or injured, and many die from shock, suffocation, dehydration or heatstroke long before they reach their destination". Those who survive the journey face a brutal and terrifying ordeal: these animals will be hung, burned, skinned, boiled, torched, dismembered, electrocuted and beaten. Many images and videos depict audiences laughing and cheering on this torture.
Several petitions are swarming the internet in hopes that the festival will be banned. However, some suggest that attempting to stop this "tradition" is being culturally insensitive. Yet, millions of Chinese are protesting to put an end to the festival. Some show up at events starting a riot which causes sellers to not want to involve themselves. Many have also adopted and purchased the dogs just before being killed, so they can begin a new life. Recently, Taiwan banned the consumption of dog and cat meat. Those causing deliberate harm to animals will be fined and imprisoned. Still, this does not exactly mean that people will stop.
If you believe in helping the animals before the festival occurs once again during the summer solstice, you can easily find several petitions online which take less than a minute to sign. Humane Society International received 11 million signatures on the matter which were recognized by the Beijing authorities. According to CBS News, "They had a full understanding of the breadth of concerns expressed by the international community".
Become aware of the topic, share and make a change.
