Summary

The Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China's Guangxi province is a controversial event where thousands of dogs and cats are consumed annually, despite widespread opposition and changing attitudes towards dog and cat meat consumption in the country.

Abstract

The Yulin Dog Meat Festival, held annually from June 21–30, is a 10-day event in Yulin, China, where an estimated 10,000 dogs are eaten. This festival, rooted in the belief that dog meat brings good luck and health, has faced significant backlash from animal rights activists and the general public. A 2016 survey indicated that a majority of Chinese citizens support ending the festival and banning the dog meat trade. In April 2020, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reclassified dogs from "livestock" to "companion animals," reflecting a shift in societal views. Despite the pandemic and protests, the festival continues, with some people even selling their pets for consumption, citing economic reasons. The opposition to the festival is growing, especially among younger generations who advocate for the protection of dogs and cats.

Opinions

The festival is seen as a tradition by some, who believe in the health and luck benefits associated with eating dog meat.
Animal rights activists strongly oppose the festival, viewing it as extreme cruelty to animals.
There is a significant movement within China to end the festival, with a majority of citizens surveyed in favor of banning the dog meat trade.
The reclassification of dogs as "companion animals" by the Chinese government reflects an official stance against the consumption of dog meat.
The continuation of the festival despite public health concerns and widespread opposition suggests a strong economic incentive for festival organizers and sellers.
Younger Chinese individuals are particularly vocal about ending the festival and changing cultural attitudes towards pet ownership and animal welfare.

The Festival Where People Eat Dogs, Cats, and Lychees

Yulin Dog Meat Festival will break any animal lover’s heart for sure

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons. Edited by the author.

Every year Yulin, a city in the Guangxi province of China, holds a 10-day festival (from June 21–30) where people eat dogs, cats, and lychees. As you like chicken and beef, the people of Yulin love dogs.

The festival is known as the ‘Yulin Dog Meat Festival,’ and on average, 10,000 dogs are consumed annually on this occasion.

Before going any further, let me warn you that this post contains distressing information and videos, so please do not proceed if it’s not okay with you.

How the “Yulin Dog Meat Festival” Started

Eating dogs is nothing new for Chinese people. Mainland China consumes nearly 20 million dogs annually though after the coronavirus outbreak, Shenzhen — a city in southeastern China — banned eating cat and dog meat.

Anyway, Yulin Dog Meat Festival began in 2009 during the summer solstice in June. But why did people start this festival? Well, as folklore goes — eating dog meat brings good luck and wealth.

It is also believed that eating dogs keeps people safe from diseases and increases men’s sexual power.

The Festival Continues Despite the Outcry from Activists

On the occasion of this festival, thousands of dogs come to Yulin from different parts of China. But the way people imprison those unfortunate animals into tiny cages, transport them without food and water, and treat them with cruelty is enough to bring you to tears.

Activists and animal lovers are highly vocal against this festival, where thousands of dogs and cats face extreme human cruelty. They are trying hard to save the dogs from being publicly slaughtered, but they face unimaginable obstacles from the festival owners and sellers.

You’ll be totally shocked to know that people even bring their pet dogs and cats to sell. They justify their actions by saying that they are not killing the animals — it’s just their business.

Even during this time, when the pandemic hadn’t faded away completely, Yulin continued to hold the dog meat festival. It’s become an enormous business, and the festival owners and sellers are ready to do anything to keep the protestors away.

Do Chinese People Really Like to Eat Dogs?

A nationwide survey in 2016 reveals that around 64% of Chinese citizens want to see an end to the Yulin festival, while 51.7% expressed their opinion that the dog meat trade should be banned entirely.

Even China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs made an official statement on April 8, 2020, that dogs would be reclassified as “companion animals” instead of “livestock.” In the same year, Shenzhen and Zhuhai — two major cities of china — banned the consumption of dog and cat meat which was a tremendous success for the people who love dogs and cats.

Especially young Chinese people are very much concerned about this issue, and they want to put an end to this cruelty to dogs and cats — the two beautiful companions of ours.

Yong Ling, a legal affairs official with the commission of legislative affairs of the Zhuhai Municipal People’s Congress Standing

Committee said, “For animals to be counted as legally eligible, they have to meet three requirements — being enlisted in the national livestock genetic resources catalog, the permission of food use by law, and qualification of quarantine inspection. And cats and dogs do not meet such conditions.”

I hope you understand why it’s okay to eat chicken and beef but not okay to eat dogs and cats by law. But yes — in both cases, we are killing lives.

Anyway, I hope the day will come when we will not have to kill other animals for our meals or business.

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