Ahead of this year’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival due to take place on June 21, 2014 in Guangxi Yulin, China, animal rights activists and celebrities are calling for the boycott of the event.
The festival which involves eating dog meat hotpot and drinking strong grain alcohols on the summer solstice, is a cherished tradition among Yulin residents and tourists.
An estimated ten thousand dogs are slaughtered and consumed at the event annually as lot of people crowd the streets to enjoy the feast.
Activists are concerned about the associated health risks eating dog meat which include rabies and other infectious diseases. Also, the high rate of abductions of stray pets ahead of the festival is of concern. Officials of Yulin maintain, however, that all the dogs used at the dog meat festival are bred by local farmers.
In China, dog meat is considered a nutritious food during the winter. It is believed to aid blood circulation. Doctors are also known to include dog meat in medical prescriptions.
