Epic Rescue! Truck Filled With Dogs Stopped on the Way to Meat Market in China

The dog meat industry that prevails in certain areas of Asia has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Events such as China’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival have been condemned by a diverse array of public figures and celebrities – with Ricky Gervais a particularly outspoken critic – while international animal welfare groups, in addition to local groups from within China, have raised concerns about the serious animal cruelty and public health concerns associated with the festival. Dogs are treated horrendously during the transit and slaughter process, due to a belief that the dog’s meat will taste better if they have been tortured prior to death. At the same time, the absence of strong regulations around the transport and care of dogs has been linked to the spread of rabies among humans.

Incredible activists such as Yang Xiaoyun are fighting to save dogs trapped in the meat industry, while organizations such as Animals Asia and Humane Society International (HSI) tirelessly campaign to end the trade for good. And the great news is that activists connected with HSI recently claimed a major victory, rescuing an entire truckful of dogs who had been intended for human consumption!

HSI said, “Over the weekend, another truck bound for the dog meat market was stopped by local activists – many of them members of HSI partner groups – saving hundreds of animals’ lives. The dogs are now under the control of the local government and, once a quarantine period is over, will likely be handed over to the activists.”

The sight of all these dogs piled on top of one another in tiny cages would pierce the heart of any animal lover.

This sweet golden retriever was just one of the hundreds of dogs who were saved.

It is difficult for us to even imagine the fear that might have been experienced by these dogs, who had no idea where they were about to be sent.

The idea that these beautiful creatures would have been tortured to death is absolutely heartbreaking.

These three pups, huddled together, look as though they could be a group of loving household companions … an idea that is not entirely far-fetched, as dogs are often stolen from their family homes in order to supply the demand for their meat.

This sweet Samoyed could easily have been a loving friend and family member before somehow ending up packed into the truck.

Thankfully, these babies now have a brighter future ahead of them, and will hopefully go to loving forever homes once their period of quarantine is over.

While we are relieved to hear that these dogs were saved from the terrible death that would have awaited them, there is so much more that needs to be done before the dog meat trade will be stamped out for good. You can find out more about this trade – and how you can help – by reading the articles below. Another way you can work toward the end of this brutal practice is by supporting Soi Dog Foundation’s You Can Help Stop the Slaughter campaign, Animals Asia’s Tackling the Meat Trade campaign, or HSI’s Dog Meat campaign.

• How South Korea Manages to ‘Farm’ Dogs for Consumption Will Shock You
• Do Growing Concerns Over the Human Impact of Eating Dog Meat Spell the End of This Practice?
• How the Yulin Dog Meat Festival is a Wake Up Call for the Meat Eating World
• These Photos of the Yulin Meat Festival Will Inspire You to Stand With Ricky Gervais and #‎StopYulin

All Image Source: Humane Society International/Facebook