KILLING & TORTURING OF CATS & DOGS IN CHINA

[Stephanie Durecko]

China's dogs & cats are boiled, stabbed, drowned, bludgeoned, strangled, poisoned, hanged, and electrocuted...experiencing unbearable pain as their legs are routinely broken while trussed up and hung in local markets for human consumption, or skinned alive and cast off like garbage, for the despicable fur trade.

Dogs [both owned and stray] are relentlessly hunted down by 'police authorized' roving mobs and savagely beaten to death by the hundreds of thousands, in the name of 'rabies' control

If you thought you seen it all and you can stomach it:
http://www.video.aol.com/video-detail/cat-and-dog-massacre-in-china...

[Brenda]

I WANT TO HELP,BUT FOR ME I CANNOT LOOK AT THE PIC'S,I HAVE SEEN THEM BEFORE,DIFFERENT ONES BUT IT'S ALL THE SAME HORRIFING.I CAN'T SEE IT ANYMORE,I DON'T FORGET I GO TO BED WITH IT.I DON'T UNDERSTAND THESE SO CALLED PEOPLE.I WISH I COULD SEND THEM ALL TO HELL WHO DO THIS.
I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO STOP FOR IT IS NOT IN THIS COUNTRY.SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
MY HEART HURTS FOR THESE POOR PRECIOUS ANIMALS.WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE P.E.T.A AND OTHERS WHO ARE MORE APE TO GO THERE TO HELP STOP THIS.PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO HELP FROM HERE.
THANKYOU BRENDA

[Linda]

Hi Brenda I hope I can help in saying...follow the flow..I know it is very hard to look at these pictures and videos,,it has been for me also..I don't watch videos anymore because I know it's all the same thing too, about these precious animals being hurt and suffering and I cry seeing these things done to them, I curl up and cry out to God to help them and stop their suffering. I pray that God lets these precious animals live in peace, and joy like we sometimes find in our lives..
We, our groups help by petitioning and writing letters to those countries to stop, whatever we do helps in every way...they need a voice and we are their voice...in these countries the support for animals is very poor and really, I don't think it's strong enough because of fear....Yes, PETA and other organizations are helping also but every little bit of help we can give will mean a lot because we are the ordinary people crying out to stop the suffering and pain done to these animals..I just joined a group about discrimination toward animals..I also sent an invitation to my friends. You will receive one too...it makes sense. Please check it out when you receive it.
You will receive comments and posts from this group by email when petitions come out and updates...the beginning of this group gives out links and addresses you can write to asking their government to stop the skinning alive and boiled alive to eat...also, for a good start to help you out, go to HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Vladimir..The title is in this group or you can write to Vladimir to ask him how to write a letter to start..he will be very happy to help you..he is a great person and has a lot of information to give and he has helped a lot of people in here. Hugs! Linda

[Stephanie Durecko]

PLEASE LET'S WRITE OUR AMBASSADOR TO CHINA
TO STOP THESE HORRORS

Contact Information
United States Embassy of Beijing, China
Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600
Tel: [phone]
Click here for the map

Public Affairs
Don Q Washington
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Webmaster
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ALSO: THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON DC

2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-338-6688
fax[phone]

[Linda]

Thanks Steph, I got it! I'm on my way....

[Dette]

Write Letters to your local Chinese Embassy

Taking the time to write a letter is a valuable way you can support our campaigns. Whether by expressing appropriate concern, or writing a letter of thanks, a brief letter provides international support which will further assist us to promote change.

In our experience a letter to the Chinese Embassy in your country has more impact, since the Embassy has a duty to forward such letters on to the relevant department in China.

Letter calling for the end of bear farming in China

Please write a polite letter to the Chinese Government thanking the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Sichuan Forestry Department for closing the farms and releasing 500 bears into the care of Animals Asia. Please ask that they continue to promote the herbal and synthetic alternatives to bear bile and urgently appeal to them to end bear farming by the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Letter calling for the end of dog and cat eating in China

Please write a polite letter supporting Animals Asia's work to raise the profile of dogs and cats as our friends and helpers and calling on the authorities to end dog and cat eating by the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Please address your letters to the Chinese Ambassador and send to the main Embasy address for your country. Embassy addresses can be found at: www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy

[Dette]

Letter to Beijing Authorities regarding news of the legalization of dog slaughter in Beijing

Speaking Out Against Legalization of Dogs for Food

Following a story in "Beijing Daily" on 29 March 2005, that the Beijing authorities had issued certificates for dog meat-hygiene and slaughtering to butchers and slaughter houses, thus legalizing the slaughtering of dogs for meat in China, Animals Asia immediately responded with the following letter to the authorities in Beijing. You can do your part by forwarding the letter on to the Chinese Embassy nearest you.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are deeply concerned to learn that the Beijing authorities have recently issued certificates which give approval to dog butchers and slaughterhouses and which now legally allow the sale of dog meat for human consumption.

Animals Asia represents many thousands of animal welfare supporters across the world, including China, who support responsible regulations and legislation which protect wild, domestic and endangered species from suffering and abuse. In recent years, the animal welfare community in China has developed and grown, with an increasing number of groups and local citizens championing a basic respect of all species and gaining significant approval as a result from the local and international arena.

The number of dog and cat owners in China has escalated, and is now seeing a growing and profitable market in a wide variety of locally made and imported pet supplies, including medicines, petfoods and toys. The growth of print, television and radio media stories, together with the expansion of petshops across the country, all devoted to the promotion of companion animals, is gaining wide interest locally within China towards the benefits of opening our homes to dogs and cats, and placing China firmly in the position of a country which is developing a harmonious attitude towards the animals which share our every day lives.

The news of Beijing regulating the dog meat trade will have serious consequences - not only angering and upsetting millions of dog owners in China, but seriously damaging the image of the country as a whole in the eyes of the international community who strongly believe that
dogs - and cats - provide valuable assistance and companionship to the human species and are very much considered our friends, rather than food.

Across the world, including Asia, dogs are recognised today as fundamental to the well being of human kind. They help us in times of war and disaster, and their incredible ability to "sniff out" a whole range of substances which would do us harm; including explosives and narcotics, is well documented by customs officials across the world who work side by side with this enthusiastic, intelligent and beneficial species.

Studies are coming to light which show that dogs are now capable of detecting cancers in patients earlier than conventional medical tests, and scientific papers abound showing that simply being in the company of dogs has far reaching physical and mental benefit to a wide range of patients, through sharing the unconditional love of a species which has rightly earned the accolade of man's best friend.

The cruelty of the dog and cat meat trade in China has been widely publicised over the years by a large number of local and international animal welfare groups. The Animals Asia team regularly document scenes of horrific abuse in live animal markets across the country - particularly to the species of dogs who are now enjoying protection against such atrocities in a growing number of countries in Asia - including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines. The method of slaughter is tragically cruel and markets in China reveal killing methods which leave both dogs and cats suffering a lingering, violent death as they are either bludgeoned over the head, stabbed in the neck or groin, hung, electrocuted or thrown conscious into drums of boiling water.

In addition, as carnivores, dogs and cats are inherently different in temperament and physiology to domestic livestock species more commonly raised intensively en-masse for food. Our investigations show that much damage is inflected through aggression and fighting when dogs are raised together under intensive and highly stressful conditions, and we draw your attention to a statement by a representative of the Hong Kong Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department who maintains that dogs cannot be humanely raised and slaughtered for food. More recently, in line with several other countries of Asia, Taiwan has also not only banned the practice of dog eating, but is now levying significant penalties on those who choose to ignore the law.

Today, Beijing's move to regulate the slaughter of dogs will now escalate the increasing criticism of China's practice of dog and cat meat consumption and further damage the country's image abroad - particularly as the date for the Beijing Olympic Games in August 2008 draws near.

We urge you to withdraw this legalisation of the dog meat industry and to follow the example of other countries of Asia who have adopted wide-ranging protective measures of companion animals and who promote far reaching education programmes of responsible pet ownership, rabies awareness and stray dog and cat control. In this context, Animals Asia and the groups with whom we work in China would be pleased to cooperate with you at all levels and look forward to your early response to our request.

Yours sincerely,
Jill Robinson MBE
Founder & CEO
Animals Asia Foundation

[Dette]

The Facts

Dog hog-tied in the market


* What is fundamental to the practice of dog and cat eating is that the cruelty is often deliberate and slaughter methods are designed to intensify and prolong the suffering in the misguided belief that 'torture equals taste'.

* In situations where the torture is not deliberate, the method of slaughter is still tragically cruel. Markets in China, reveal killing methods which leave both dogs and cats
suffering a lingering, violent death as they are either bludgeoned over the head, stabbed in the neck or groin, hung, electrocuted or thrown conscious into drums of boiling water.

* There are numerous conflicting beliefs regarding dog eating, for example dogs are eaten in the summer months in Korea to cool the body down, whilst in China they are eaten in the winter to warm the body.

* In Korea, contrary to popular belief, dog eating is a relatively recent phenomenon and has never been a part of their culinary history. The fabrication of dog and cat meat as an age-old part of Korean cultural heritage is a marketing strategy by unscrupulous vendors who are exploiting an easy to produce commodity.

* Dogs are eaten in large numbers in China and Korea, and on a smaller scale in parts of Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar, the Asian portions of the former Soviet Union, Thailand and Vietnam. In many of these countries the practice is less than a few generations old.

* Cats are eaten in Southern China, Korea and some parts of Indonesia.

* ANIMAL PEOPLE estimates that 13-16 million dogs and 4 million cats are butchered each year for human consumption in Asia, as of 2003.

* It is estimated that as many as 30% of the dogs sold for food in Korea are stolen pets.

* Dog eating is illegal in Hong Kong, Korea and the Philippines and was banned in Taiwan in 2001.

[Dette]

Arguments Against


AAF Beijing Billboard: "Dogs & Cats are human's best friends - they need our love & respect"


* Culture and tradition should not be an excuse for cruelty. Just because a practice is part of a culture does not make it morally acceptable and many practices such as slavery, which were once seen as a basic right, are now widely accepted as barbaric.

* There is no scientific evidence to support claims that dog meat can improve blood flow and "chi", enhance male virility, promote kidney function and aid digestion. Dog meat is proven to be no more nutritious than that of pork or chicken.

* Recent research into rheumatoid arthritis has proven that cats are absolutely not effective in the treatment of arthritis.

* A great number of dogs seen in the markets have collars on - an indication that they may have once been someone's pet. The argument that there are two types of dog - 'pets' and 'meat', is redundant as pure breeds and pets are seen for sale as meat in the markets. It is also estimated that a large portion of the cats seen in the markets are also stolen pets.

* Arguments that a dog or cat is no different to a chicken, a cow or even a frog, fail to address the core fact that no government in the world has devised a way of killing dogs humanely for commercial purposes.

* A Hong Kong Government Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Veterinary representative has stated that dogs cannot be humanely raised and slaughtered for food.

* As carnivores, dogs and cats are inherently different in temperament and physiology to domestic livestock species more commonly raised intensively en-masse for food.

* Humans have historically never kept carnivores as livestock animals, partly because of the difficulty in raising them and perhaps also because of the increased risk of disease that can be transmitted from animal to human.

* Regulating the trade would provide only a superficial solution and give dog and cat eating a façade of respectability, whilst allowing the suffering to continue behind closed doors.
Our position paper "Friends....or Food - Why Dogs and Cats Deserve Better", calls for the end of dog and cat consumption and is available for anyone to download and spread the word.

[Dette]

Dear Friend,
There are many conflicting views regarding the sensitive issue of dog and cat eating. The common arguments of western imperialism and cultural relativism are regularly raised by those for and against this practice, and are also often tainted by unfair accusations and distorted facts. In the light of recent calls to regulate the practice, we believe, as an animal welfare group based in Asia, that it would be helpful to highlight the problems relating to the plea for so-called 'humane' slaughter of dogs and cats in China, whilst putting forward a broad overview of the numerous benefits companion animals provide to society and the efforts of those groups working on the ground in Asia to create change. (This is not to preach to the converted but, rather to present the arguments as we see them in one document, as an aide memoire.)
Cruelty to animals is not unique to Asia: animals all over the world are horrendously mistreated in factory farms, the fur trade, sport hunting or in animal testing. But rather than happening behind closed doors as it often does in the West, the cruelty in Asia is more open and therefore subject to greater scrutiny and judgement.
Animal welfare is a relatively new concept in many places in Asia, and as a result it is vital that we ensure we work together with one voice to give the animals the best protection possible. In markets, in cages, in misery, millions and millions of dogs and cats in Asia are confined and slaughtered in the most barbaric and brutal ways. In many cases the slaughter methods are deliberately cruel in the misguided belief that 'torture equals taste', and in situations where the torture is not deliberate, the method of slaughter is still routinely cruel and causes unimaginable suffering and pain. Markets in China reveal killing methods which leave up to ten million dogs and four million cats suffering a lingering, violent death, as they are either bludgeoned over the head, stabbed in the neck or groIn and 'bled out', hung, electrocuted, or thrown conscious into vats of boiling water. During frequent visits to these hellholes since the late 1980's, we are also witness to animals dying of horrific diseases such as cat flu, distemper, parvo-virus and very probably, rabies.
The argument that there are two types of dog - 'pets' and 'meat', is redundant as pure breeds and pets are seen for sale as meat in the markets (a great number of dogs seen in the markets are wearing collars - an indication that they may have once been someone's pet). It is also estimated that a large portion of the cats seen in the markets are stolen pets. For many, their nightmare begins with a long road journey by truck which often lasts for several days, throughout
which the animals have no free access to food or water, and only an occasional cursory hose down to prevent dehydration and death. Crushed into tiny mesh cages which are piled three, four or even five cages high. One hears their anguished screams from the road before the truck turns the corner and arrives at the wholesale market. The drivers climb the pyramid of cages, before hurling each one several metres to the ground, crushing limbs and paws and smashing faces of the terrified prisoners as the cages crash to the concrete. Using crude metal tongs which clamp the choking dogs and cats around the neck (or sometimes miss and stab into the soft palate), the traders then either hurl them into larger cages for weighing and onward sale, or offload them into pens. Once on solid ground
the trembling animals urinate, defaecate and literally fall on the huge water bowl in the centre of the pen to quench a 3 day thirst, visibly relieved that the pain has stopped and hopeful that their nightmare is over.
However, their nightmare has only just begun and their relief is short-lived as customers walk by, choose their victim, and the tongs grip once again.

[Dette]

The screaming animals are then bludgeoned in front of the other terrified
dogs with a blow across the muzzle, using an instrument resembling a baseball bat.
Tragically, the blow is not hard enough to render the poor animals unconscious for long - they regain consciousness within seconds, completely bewildered, and try to get up, sliding around in the blood and crashing into other dogs also flailing around. At this point they are howling pitifully in pain and confusion, with blood and mucus pouring from their nose and mouth - only to be bludgeoned again and again. We're told the idea is that when the traders finally dispatch the dogs, they want the heart beating rapidly so that the blood will gush out swiftly, which is believed to enhance the flavour of the meat.
In amongst all this carnage, the other dogs and cats are looking on, knowing that their turn is soon to come. We also see cats and dogs giving birth from within the cages, from which they will eventually be dragged out and slaughtered - and the tiny crying offspring are thrown to other dogs that are literally starving. The eyes of the dogs and cats follow our every move as we walk around taking photographs, helpless to intervene, crying into the camera lens, but trying to smile at the same time, to avoid any negative reaction from the traders who now realise why we are there. There is only one question in these animals' eyes…..."Why?"
It breaks our hearts to see dogs feebly wag their tail when we approach, or cats who rub their heads against our fingers - both species so desperately wanting to be our friend, yet so bewildered with the suffering and pain they experience at the hands of humankind. You see dogs seconds before slaughter ingratiate themselves to the killer - tail wagging, head bowed, begging for life. How can we sink so low in this appalling treatment of animals who have so rightly earned their place as our best friend - it's enough to put you off the human race for life.

[Dette]

DOGS AND CATS IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
In China, dog meat is consumed as a tonic food, providing warmth in the winter months, as well as helping cure fatigue, low back pain, poor memory and slow digestion in older men. (Interestingly, and paradoxically, in the same continent, dog meat is eaten in South Korea during the summer months to cool the body down.) Dog skin and gallstones are used to invigorate the body or heal sickness, dog penis and testes are used for impotence and
lowered sex drive, and dog kidney is consumed to cure impotence and premature ejaculation. The bones of dogs are sometimes used as an alternative to tiger bone to treat rheumatism. At least one company in Jiangsu Province is attempting to market “dog brain powder” as a treatment for various neurological disorders.
There is no scientific evidence to support any of these claims, or other beliefs that dog meat can improve blood flow and "chi". Dog meat has been proven to be no more nutritious than that of pork or chicken. Transport and slaughter conditions are so completely unhygienic that these markets may represent a grave public health hazard. Researchers now believe that SARS began its human-to-human transition in these live animal markets, where cages piled high with dogs and cats are crammed into the same market space as many wild species, such as civet cats, snakes, barking deer and countless others. As if that were not enough, teams of dog killers throughout Jiangxi Province have been known to poison dogs with cyanide before bringing them to market to sell their meat to unsuspecting consumers.
Cat meat is eaten during the winter months in China “to warm the stomach” and delicacies include paws (stir fried with garlic), eyes, stomach and testicles. Cat meat is often eaten as an aphrodisiac, or to help cure arthritis (it apparently tastes like tough chicken). In Korea, this “medical tonic” (Goyangi Soju) is made by boiling cats alive in a large pressure cooker. A popular dish in China is called 'Long Fu Fung' (Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix Soup). The Dragon
is represented by the snake, the Tiger by the cat and the Phoenix by the chicken. Cat consumption has historically
been confined to parts of Guangdong Province in Southern China, but has recently spread to other parts of China
due to the popularisation of Guangdong restaurants and cuisine. A very recent investigation in Shanghai revealed through DNA testing that in several restaurants across the city, cat meat was being passed off as mutton. Recent research into rheumatoid arthritis has proven that cat meat is not effective in the treatment of this illness. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Dr. Lo Yan Wo states "In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are many
alternatives to the use of these animals. Culture should not be an excuse for cruelty and when we are making progress in civilisation, we should also make progress in our hearts and minds. There is no need to kill and eat our faithful animal friends."

[Dette]

ANIMAL WELFARE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
In China no animal welfare legislation exists - in fact it has lagged behind the industrialised world in legislation against animal cruelty for more than 180 years and is some 40 years behind India in the implementation of an animal welfare law. (In the last few years we have heard from some government officials that they believe
the term “animal welfare” was introduced into Chinese after we began meeting together way back in the early 1990's.)
However, it is important to note that where countries in Asia ARE introducing animal welfare acts, they are often banning the consumption of dogs and cats too in recognition of their importance as a central component of any civilised and evolving society.
The Philippines introduced the 'Animal Welfare Act' in 1998 (formally known as Republic Act 8485) under which the slaughtering dogs and cats for food was declared illegal.
Taiwan followed suit in 2003, banning the practice of dog eating, by amending and improving their 'Animal Protection Law' of 2001 to prohibit the slaughter and sale of dogs (and other companion animals) as food. The Taiwan Animal Protection Law covers the treatment of all animals: domestic, wild and livestock. Fines against those who flout the
rules range from NT$2,000 to NT$2500,000, and in certain cases abuses can lead to imprisonment.
In Hong Kong it has been illegal to slaughter dogs and cats for food since 1950. Under the Dogs & Cats Regulations Chapter 167 it states that "It is an offence to eat or have in possession any part of a cat or dog for the purpose for food whether for mankind or otherwise."
Both the Philippines and Taiwan have won international praise and approval for their comprehensive animal welfare laws, and as more and more Asian countries table the issue of animal welfare legislation for discussion, it is essential
that China does not allow itself to be left behind. (Of concern, the Philippine legislation is now seeing certain lawmakers determined to once again add dog meat to the menu, but they are also facing fierce objection by the local Philippine Animal Welfare Society - PAWS - who were largely responsible for seeing the original law enacted.)
So today, any moves towards “regulating” the slaughter of dogs and cats in China (i.e. sanctioning so-called “humane” slaughter), would completely undermine those laws and regulations mentioned above, and would also undermine decades of negotiation and efforts by those groups in Asia who have so tirelessly worked with the Governments concerned to have them introduced and enforced.