The dog meat trade is alive and well in China. It makes our stomachs turn and our hearts ache. However, we cannot live here in our own worlds totally oblivious when there’s something we can do to stop it. Our voices are strong and our will is unbreakable!
The disgusting tradition became a yearly celebration in 2009. Dogs had already been kept in captivity to be consumed for their meat, but since 2009, the farming of dogs has grown exponentially. There is more profit to be made so more “farmers” are collecting more animals to pad their pockets.
Laws are changing and advocacy groups are working tirelessly to gain custody of as many dogs as possible. Often, advocates approach the farmers, see that they are breaking laws by how they’re keeping the dogs (in filthy cages, too many in cages, not feeding them properly, etc.), and then talk the farmers into surrendering the animals to beat jail time.
Some farmers are even relieved and offer to hand over the dogs to learn a new trade, like growing crops.
In this particular story, a mama dog gave birth to a litter of pups at a dog meat farm that was being monitored by officials. The advocacy group heard about Mama and went to check out the situation. The mama had refused her own pups and they lay there dying.
The advocacy group urged the farmer to open the cage so they could save the puppies. They managed to save half the litter. Sadly, it was too late for the others.
They asked why the mama dog didn’t care for her pups and that’s when they found out about her trauma. One of the workers had even recorded what had happened.
Mama was bonded to another dog she shared a cage with. One day, that dog was released from his cage by the farmer. Even though the farmer didn’t treat him nicely, the dog was still loyal to him and always happy to see the man. He followed as the man led him away from his cage. His tail wagged with excitement.
Then the man did the cruelest thing. He beat him to death with a club in order to sell him for meat. He was slaughtered in the most inhumane way possible and the mama dog saw everything. The man even admits later to the advocates that he had the dog for two years prior to this. The dog had no idea that death awaited him.
Killing the dog in front of the other dogs is actually a punishable offense, as the video below explains. Farmers are not allowed to slaughter animals in front of the others. It’s beyond cruel. So Mama was understandably not okay— she was severely traumatized.
Thankfully, the farmer is now being punished. He signed over all his dogs and they were all freed. They were taken to the rescue center where they will be available for adoption! The puppies that survived are already in their forever homes!
We know, as animal lovers, we will never understand what goes on in that part of the world. But we must not turn a blind eye! Doing so won’t make it go away. We must stop this horrific festival for good. Without the festival, farmers will not be motivated by the profits they are making now.
The video below contains upsetting images, discretion is advised!
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