Protesters in a southern province in China have gathered ahead of an annual dogmeat festival in the area.
The festival in Guangxi province has attracted huge criticism for its barbaric nature where dogs are packed into cages before being killed, skinned and cooked and has been met with increasing opposition from activists.
According to The Irish Examiner, members of the Boai Small Animal Protection Centre have been protesting in Yulin, the city which holds the festival, since early this month, calling on the local government to cancel it.
Photographs from past festivals showing dogs packed into cages and locals feasting on their meat from steaming pots have circulated on popular social networking websites in China and it has served to highlight the country’s growing animal rights movement.
While the festival seems ridiculous, cruel and barbaric to us, it is reported to have started several decades ago to mark the summer solstice and 10,000 people are expected to attend.
“Yulin is famous for its dog meat, and they serve cat meat too,” a shopkeeper from the neighbouring city of Beihai is quoted as saying.
Don’t think we’ll be paying a visit anytime soon.
