Is Eating Dogs Banned in China Despite Animal Consumption Laws

In China, the laws regarding animal consumption are complex and often contradictory. The country has a long history of consuming dog meat, but in recent years, attitudes have shifted and some regions have implemented bans.

Dog meat consumption is most prevalent in the southern province of Guangdong, where it's considered a delicacy. However, this doesn't mean it's universally accepted or condoned.

Some cities in China have taken steps to prohibit dog meat consumption, but enforcement can be inconsistent. For example, the city of Shenzhen has banned the sale of dog meat since 2018.

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Shenzhen has become the first Chinese city to ban the consumption of cats and dogs. This ban is set to come into effect on May 1.

The ban is part of an effort to bring the lucrative wildlife industry under control, following the coronavirus outbreak which is thought to have started at a wildlife market in Wuhan.

China's use of wild animals runs deep, not just for food but also for traditional medicine, clothing, ornaments, and even pets.

In 2003, civets were banned and culled in large numbers after it was discovered they likely transferred the SARS virus to humans.

The selling of snakes was briefly banned in Guangzhou after the SARS outbreak, but today dishes using the animals are still eaten in parts of China.

The cultural roots of China's use of wild animals are hard to change, making it challenging to end the trade.

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Shenzhen has become the first Chinese city to ban the consumption of cats and dogs, with new rules coming into effect on May 1.

This ban applies to animals raised as pets, including cats and dogs.

The coronavirus outbreak is thought to have started at a wildlife market in Wuhan, prompting authorities to take action to control the lucrative wildlife industry.

Ending the trade will be hard due to China's deep cultural roots in using wild animals for food, traditional medicine, clothing, ornaments, and even pets.

In 2003, civets were banned and culled after they were linked to the SARS virus transfer to humans.

Shenzhen's efforts to ban the dog meat trade are a huge step in the right direction. Animal Rights organizations are praising the city's bold steps to stop the trade and wildlife consumption.

Teresa M. Telecky from Humane Society International hopes other governments will follow Shenzhen's example. This could be a model for governments around the world to emulate.

The dog meat trade is a brutal one, killing an estimated 10 million dogs in China every year. Dr. Peter Li from HSI's China policy specialist says this is a great start to ending the trade.

Shenzhen's significance lies in its potential to inspire other cities to follow suit. It's China's fifth largest city, but its influence could be huge.

The World Health Organization found no coronavirus threat from cats and dogs, but consumption still poses health risks.

China has finally taken a step towards ending the inhumane practice of eating dogs and cats. In 2020, China published a new National Catalogue of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources, which banned the sale of live dogs for food.

The ban is a significant victory for animal welfare organizations like FOUR PAWS, which has been fighting against the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia. FOUR PAWS estimates that in Vietnam alone, around five million dogs and one million cats are stolen and brutally slaughtered for their meat every year.

Shenzhen, a city in southeastern China, has become the first city in the country to ban the consumption of cats and dogs altogether. The ban will come into effect on May 1, making it illegal to eat animals raised as pets.

FOUR PAWS welcomes this landmark decision and calls on other governments in the region, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, to follow China's example. The organization warns that the dog and cat meat trade poses a major risk to both public and global health due to the unhygienic conditions in which the animals are captured, transported, and slaughtered.

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