International Desk: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, controversial dog meat festival is underway in Yulin city of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in mainland China despite of the Government’s drive to discourage consumption of wildlife and pets for meat due to health reasons.
The 10-day annual festival began on June 21 and will continue till June 30. This controversial festival attracts thousands of visitors, many of whom buy dogs for the pot that are on display in cramped cages , New post reported.
But according to campaigners, numbers had diminished this year, with hopes that this year’s festival could be the last.
“I do hope Yulin will change, not only for the sake of the animals but also for the health and safety of its people,” Peter Li,China policy specialist with the Humane Society International, an animal rights group said.
The outbreak of the novel corona virus which began late last year in Wuhan and is believed to have originated in horseshoe bats before crossing into humans via an intermediary species at a market place, has forced China to reassess its relationship with animals and it has vowed to ban the wildlife trade.
The government is planning new laws to ban the wildlife trade and safeguard pets.
Image Source: Internet