In China’s, Shenzhen becomes the First city to Ban Dog Meat Trade

Dogs today reported that the city of Shenzhen, in southern China’s Guangdong province, might become the first in the country to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat following a food safety legislative proposal. The groundbreaking law has been passed and it will be effective from 1 May 20.

Although the law was proposed in response to the coronavirus crisis and concerned the consumption of wildlife, an unrelated ban on the consumption of “pet” animals was included in acknowledgment of their status as companion animals.

Announcing the ban, a spokesperson for the Shenzhen government said, “Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This ban also responds to the demand and spirit of human civilization.”

The law clarifies what species can be to be consumed – such as pig, cattle, sheep, rabbit, chicken, and others. From 1 May, the sale of dogs for human consumption will be entirely banned throughout Shenzhen.

Dr. Peter Li, the China policy specialist for animal protection charity Humane Society International (HSI), welcomed the news, saying, “With Shenzhen taking the historic decision to become mainland China’s first city to ban dog and cat meat consumption, this really could be a watershed moment in efforts to end this brutal trade that kills an estimated 10 million dogs and 4 million cats in China every year.

“The majority of these companion animals are stolen from people’s back yards or snatched from the streets and are transported on the backs of trucks to be beaten to death in slaughterhouses and restaurants across China. Shenzhen is China’s 5th largest city so although the dog meat trade is fairly small there compared with the rest of the province, its true significance is that it could inspire a domino effect with other cities following suit.

“Most people in China don’t eat dog or cat meat, and there is considerable opposition to the trade particularly among younger Chinese. Although World Health Organization advice is clear that dogs and cats pose no known coronavirus threat whatsoever, it’s no surprise that attention is turning to this trade at this time because it undoubtedly poses a huge human health risk for other diseases such as rabies, as well as causing immense animal suffering.”

The ban on the consumption of wildlife was hailed as a huge step forward as well. Unlike the temporary ban on wildlife markets and consumption passed by the national government, Shenzhen’s ban is a permanent prohibition on the consumption, breeding, and sale of wildlife such as snakes, lizards, and other wild animals for human consumption – with fines of up 150,000 Yuan.