China to reclassify dogs as pets, not livestock, in wake of coronavirus

[left-of-center2012]

China has drawn up new guidelines to reclassify dogs as pets, rather than livestock, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak — a move that the Humane Society called a “game-changer” in animal welfare. Dog meat remains a delicacy in parts of China, although it is increasingly unpopular and has been banned as food in at least one Chinese city.

“As far as dogs are concerned, along with the progress of human civilization and the public concern and love for animal protection, dogs have been ‘specialized’ to become companion animals, and internationally are not considered to be livestock, and they will not be regulated as livestock in China,” the Ministry of Agriculture said in a notice Wednesday.

The 'livestock designation' meant animals could be bred for food, milk, fur, fiber, and medicine, or to be used in sports or military activity.

Last month, the Chinese city of Shenzhen became the first in the country to officially ban the consumption of dogs. Still, Humane Society International estimates that 10 million dogs a year are killed for meat in China, including stolen pets, and the city of Yulin still holds annual dog meat festivals.

https://nypost.com/2020/04/09/china-to-reclassify-dogs-as-pets-in-wake-of-coronavirus/

[renate]

1. thank goodness

I'm against eating any kind of sentient being, but there's something really special about dogs. The idea of eating a creature that would, if given the least opportunity, form a bond with you so strong that they would rather be homeless with you in the cold than be inside by a fire without you is horrifying and sickening.

This is very good news.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Horse meat was for sale when I lived in CT during the 1970's

A few stores sold horse roasts, steaks, etc.
None near me.

Friends encouraged me to change brands of canned cat food when they saw horse meat was one of the ingredients.

[superpatriotman]

7. It's still available in Miami

Along with who knows what else in illegal slaughterhouses down here.

It's foul.

[dalton99a]

3. Not long ago there was a huge scandal in Europe where horse meat was relabeled as beef and put in

hamburger meat

[octoberlib]

4. And what are they going to do about the animal that's basically a flying

coronavirus timebomb, the horseshoe bat?

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/10/bats-may-be-carrying-next-sars-pandemic#


This is a good move on dogs but they need to address their interactions with the animals that are causing the pandemic.In fact, the Chinese need to address their wildlife farms and markets. It's like they're saying "Look over here" so people don't see that the problem is somewhere else entirely

[dalton99a]

5. The sentiment over there is that anyone caught eating 'weird' wildlife will be summarily lynched

judging from expat discussions

This disaster is a game changer

[Igel]

6. And yet there was the report about Wuhan coming out from under lockdown.

It mentioned some industries and things that were up and running again--public transport, trains, factories.

One thing that opened promptly was the Wuhan "seafood market". No word of a torch-carrying mob going up to that particular version of Frankenstein's castle.

Perhaps the truly unusual critters won't be featured as prominently. It'll just drive it underground.

[dalton99a]

10. That particular market named Huanan is still closed.

There will always be wet markets in China. That's where most people buy fresh meat and produce. It is a common sight in other countries as well (usually under different appellations).

The major difference is they no longer allow wildlife and live animals to be sold or slaughtered.

[klook]

11. They supposedly outlawed eating "exotic animals" in 2014,

according to this article, yet pangolin consumption was apparently a factor in the covid-19 outbreak. Hope this will change now.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. This is huge!

[DBoon]

9. A dog will willingly endanger itself to protect its human owner

how can you eat an animal like that?