Yulin dog meat market 'no worse than eating turkey at Christmas’, says butcher
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Version 0 of 1. Eating dogs in China is just like eating turkey at Christmas in the West, a dog meat vendor has argued in Yulin. It is estimated that thousands of dogs have been slaughtered and eaten at a ‘dog meat festival’ over the course of the last week. The annual market takes place in the city of Yulin in China, where consuming dog meat is legal. The event marks the summer solstice and has been criticised by many who allege that it is cruel to the animals. However, those in the dog meat business have defended their trade, arguing that it is no different than eating any other animal. Speaking yesterday, one meat market vendor shouted at animal rights protestors: “There are all sorts of cultural norms about what you can eat- you eat turkey, so why are you forcing us not to eat dog meat.” The group of animal rights activists had unfurled banners outside the city’s government office demanding that the festival be shut down. Another supporter told reporters as they tucked into a dish made from dog meat: “It’s healthy, just like raising pigs or chickens, it’s fine.” At the weekend, it was reported that business was ‘booming’ at the market, despite the controversy surrounding it. |