Rest Of China Should Learn: Shenzhen Becomes First City To Ban Eating Of Dogs, Cats & Snakes
Shenzhen, a city in China has become the first one in the country to stop its residents from eating dog and cat meat. A new law has been introduced there in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
For years, animal activists have demanded that the Chinese government prohibit the consumption of these animals, and this is the first accord of its kind. Shenzhen, a city of around 13 million people will see a unique change once the law comes into effect on May 1, going by the government notice.
AFP
Apart from dogs and cats, snake, frog and turtle meat has also been banned.
In February, it was reported that China had banned all trade and consumption of wild animals for a while. The move came after it was believed that the consumption of wild animals was what led to the coronavirus outbreak. However, recently there have been reports that wet markets have opened again in China and the trade of wild animals is still going on.
Then there is the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival that is one of the most controversial and criticised food festivals around the world. Thousands of dogs are cruelly beaten, killed, skinned and cooked with blow-torches before being consumed.
Reuters
Officials have described Shenzhen's recent step as the 'universal localisation requirement for a modern society.'
The document, ¡®Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on Prohibition of Wild Animals,¡¯ lists nine types of livestock that are suitable for people to eat: pigs, sheep, donkeys, cows, rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, and pigeons.
Aquatic animals are also allowed as per the law.
AFP
¡°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,¡± Daily Mail quoted Dr Peter Li, China policy specialist for animal protection charity Humane Society International as saying.
AFP
He further said, ¡°The majority of these companion animals are stolen from people's back yards or snatched from the streets, and are spirited away on the backs of trucks to be beaten to death in slaughterhouses and restaurants across China. Shenzhen is China's fifth 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.¡±
Hope this move inspires other Chinese cities to do the same.
