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Second Chinese City Bans The Consumption Of Dog And Cat Meat

Second Chinese City Bans The Consumption Of Dog And Cat Meat

The announcement came after government proposals to view dogs as 'companion animals'

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Zhuhai has become the second city in China to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat.

The city, with a population of 1.7 million, has announced the new rules in line with a government proposal which says dogs should be viewed as 'companion animals'.

The government announced that dogs should not be viewed as livestock, but as pets.

PA

With the Ministry of Agriculture saying in a statement: "As far as dogs are concerned, along with the progress of human civilisation and the public concern and love for animal protection, dogs have been 'specialised' to become companion animals, and internationally are not considered to be livestock, and they will not be regulated as livestock in China."

Earlier this month Shenzhen was the first Chinese city to ban the human consumption of dog and cat meat; with both cities planning on bringing the new laws in from 1 May.

Speaking at the time, 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 civilisation."

Wendy Higgins, Humane Society International's director of international media said the announcement from the Chinese city was 'thrilling'.

She told the Independent: "Zhuhai's ban on dog and cat meat eating is thrilling news for all those in China and around the world who have campaigned for so long to end this brutal trade.

PA

"Coming so soon after Shenzhen's ban and the government's historic statement classifying dogs as pets, we hope this is the start of a domino effect of progressive legislation across China with other cities following suit.

"This isn't just good news for animal protection, it's also very good news for public health."

According to a report from Xinhua, anyone found breaking the new law will face a fine costing up to 20 times the value of the meat.

The new rules are part of a wider ban on the trading of wild animals in the city, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Consumption of the meat of some wild animals will also be outlawed.

Scientists believe covid-19 was passed to humans from wild animals sold in a food market In Wuhan.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, Animals