The Dangers of the Annual Lychee and Dog Meat Festival

By Emily Moyer April 7th, 2017

Today in the United States of America, it is common to see a household filled with not only

humans, but a plethora of dogs who act as both their pets and companions. However, this has not

always been the case in the United States, and unfortunately because dogs are not viewed as pets

in other countries, they are not treated as they should be. Nonetheless, it is important to

understand the evolution of dogs in society because they are such a vital component of family

life, which in turn has caused foreign conflict in the most recent years.

Transformative role of dogs throughout history

Around the world scientists agree that the first domestication of dogs, which happened to be the

first domesticated animal ever, occurred between 27,000 and 40,000 years ago1. Although many

dogs do, domestication hasnt meant a dogs purpose is to simply entertain and live in the house

of a family. Domestication of dogs and animals alike revolutionized and helped to modernize the

world2. Without the domestication of dogs, Lewis and Clark might not have been able to perform

the first American expedition across the Western United States. In essence, their dog, a

newfoundland named Seaman, contributed to fulfilling their expansive journey; this not only

changing the United States nation, but the world3. Alike, Sigmund Freud, founder of

psychoanalysis, was the first to utilize dogs for therapy. He often wrote on how dogs were the

most ideal for comforting his patients4. Dogs have seen several roles throughout history such as

hunting, guard duty, law enforcement to find illegal substances, search and rescue, military

service, mental/physical therapy, and medical service5. The transformative and varying roles of

dogs are a critical component to everyday life around the world. Conversely, in one small sector
of the world, Yulin, China, the annual Lychee and Dog Meat Festival opposes this held value of

dogs that is shared elsewhere around the world. Dogs continuously have contributed to the well-

being of society, but this festival entails of crime and torture towards dogs and danger to the

population of China. The festival goes against popular opinion and the wellbeing of society, so it

must be fully addressed so that these innocent animals and citizens are treated with the respect

that they deserve.

Chinas growth in the dog-meat industry

Before action can be taken, it is important to understand Chinas perspective on the Yulin

festival, and what the festival embodies. To start, the consumption of dog meat has occurred in

China since 202 AD6. The Han Dynasty worshiped this particular meat, however, the

consumption levels continued to fall with time7. China is not the only country to consume dog

meat, but rather Vietnam and the Philippines also partake in this practice8. Because cultures vary,

China is not to be criticized for eating dogs. Countries beliefs and customs differ, just as the

United States consumption of cows opposes Indias worshiping of the creature. However, the

treatment of these animals, including cruelty, abuse, and crime regarding their consumption, is

an unacceptable practice, and must end in China.

What is the festival?

Every June, for approximately ten days, people from all over China travel to the city of Yulin to

partake in a dog meat consumption festival9. There are major misconceptions about the Chinese

and this festival. Although some claim that this festival has dated back in time, the festival only

began in June, 2010 as a newfound tradition to celebrate the summer solstice10. The new
tradition stems from people believing that the consumption of dog meat will bring them hope and

luck. Although often ignored, many citizens of China reject the cultural value of this festival,

which shows that the country is not entirely uniform on this publicized event11. The growing

population of China fears for the festival because it is coming up in June 2017. The position that

the majority of China takes is due to the fact that over 127 million dogs in the country are seen as

household pets12. This majority values dogs lives over the meat that was once valued during the

Han dynasty. Unfortunately, their voices have gone unheard by the Chinese government.

Theft and the silence on the black market

Perceptions are changing about the dog trade, but those who consume the meat are too finding

fault in this six-year practice. What vendors neglect to share to consumers is how they obtain the

meat at the festival. Families in China spend every day with their pets, but could wake up to find

their dog missing on any given day. Dognapping of millions of family pets occurs around this

festival annually, and has sparked a black market in China13. While some stolen dogs are resold
to households, a majority of the canines are sold for consumption at the festival14. Song Kang, a

student in China, watched video footage of his dog being stolen from his very own backyard. He

struggles to cope with the reality of the situation because he does not want to accept that his dog

is likely off to a restaurant or a street vendor15. His family is devastated, as they were not given a

solution to the predicament. Kang and other citizens of China should not have to fear for their

once source of comfort. Change must occur in this industry.

Chinas reflection and image

Crime is not the only negativity related to the festival. The images that have risen in association

with the festival continue to leave a negative shadow on Chinas image. The dogs at the festival

are stolen, kept in small cramped cages along many other dogs, starved, poisoned, beaten and

killed16. The Chinese and people all around the world question how the thieves can get away,

with no responsibility for their actions, and how this festival continues every year. The answer is

that China does not have animal protection laws which are commonly used in other countries to

make the cruel acts illegal17. In 2009, a Chinese law was proposed to charge animal abusers with

a minor charge of approximately 6000 yuan (equivalent to $900.00 American dollars) 18.

However, the National Peoples Congress of China has yet to sign this act, even though to many

the charges seem small. When evaluating the Chinese governments lack of action toward this

festival, it is important to emphasize what the Chinese citizens hope for in regards to the festival.

First, 64% of people within the ages of 16 to 50 support a permanent ban to the festival 19. Alike,

an astonishing statistic reveals that of those surveyed, 69.5% have never eaten dog meat20. Yet,

this festival is continually falsely promoted and defended as a Chinese cultural event. The
thoughts and beliefs of all Chinese citizens should be considered, especially when they are

judged for a festival they may not support.

The ramifications on Chinas health

Even if crime and abuse were not taken into consideration, there are major health ramifications

revolving around this festival, which, alone, should be enough to shut it down. The dogs origin

is unknown to those who eat the meat, as well as those who provide the meat21. Dogs are likely

to have died during the long trek to Yulin, or from being injected with poison before the

festival22. This uncertainty of the prior whereabouts of the dogs would break several laws in the

United States, but goes unregulated every year in China. In the same manner, China has the

largest rabies epidemic23 and Yulin is one of the top ten cities with humans infected by rabies 24.

With preventative measures and medications, most countries are at extremely low risk for rabies,

yet China is constantly exposed to the threat. The harsh treatment of dogs, often with no

knowledge of their prior diseases, has caused this finding. If the dog festival were to end, not

only would the people of China stop consuming unsafe meat, they would be at less risk from the

deadly viral disease.

Potential Chinese action modelled after that of other countries

The festival harms dogs, Chinas reputation, and the citizens of China. China does not have to sit

by and watch another year of this injustice and harm erupt. Similar cases in other countries have

occurred, and with the right action aimed at the judicial system, there has been success. In 1966,

the United States government signed the Animal Welfare Act25. This federal law addresses the

transportation of animals, which China currently suffers with. In China, the government cannot

take much legal action to stop the cramped space in which the dogs are transported in26. Often,

illegal measures are taken by the Humane Society International to rescue the dogs who were

once in a small crate of 4 to 5 other dogs27. In creating an act, similar to the Animal Welfare Act,

further illegal measures to help society will not be taken, and there will be justice for the abused

dogs. At the same time, there are plausible solutions to the food safety concern over the dog

meat. Both the United States and Europe have authorities in place to monitor and control the

food that is put forth on citizens tables28. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration of the

United States makes it illegal for food facilities to not register with the government29. The Food

and Drug Administration overlooks how food is processed, packaged, and labeled30. These

methods prevent uncertainty of the ingredients used, and also prevent free reign of working

conditions. China would benefit from an agency like the FDA because there would be tight

control over the heinous acts in Yulin, such as poison in the dog meat and damaging processing

environments. The European Food Safety Authority recognizes that food safety is not confined

to one place, but affects the entire world31. To ensure safety everywhere, the EFSA works with

multiple food safety coorporations32. China could adopt this approach, and learn from other

organizations why the actions in Yulin are extremely dangerous to the health of their population.
Overall, China is not alone in how to handle the festival in Yulin, but can simply learn from the

initiatives of countries from all over the world.

What is currently being done?

So far, citizens around the world have not allowed the festival to proceed without hesitation and

obstacles. Over 11 million people have signed a petition in support of banning the festival

permanently33. At the same time, vocal celebrities such as Matt Damon, Lisa Vanderpump, Kate

Mara, and others, used their fame to take a stand against Yulin34. The group of celebrities

worked with a Chinese organization to create a graphic public service announcement about the

festival35. The video starts off with explaining how the issue is not race related, but is an issue of

humanity. They even state about how they must be A voice for those who cannot speak for

themselves36. They truly want to make it a point that this is not a judgement of the Chinese

culture and share, Whether or not you think it is something to be eaten or on the menu, cruelty

and torture and violence is wrong37. This celebrity support only exemplifies the urgency to end

the upcoming festival.

The United States role

Legal action has occurred within the United States to prevent the atrocities that occur annually in

China. United States Congressman, Alcee Hastings, of Floridas 20th District, proposed a

resolution to not only end the festival, but also the dog meat trade, as a whole38. He presented

this to congress because he believes it is not just an issue to China, but to all of humanity39. The

proposal specifically asks that one certificate for one dog be required on trucks that travel

across China40. This addresses the issue of theft and tight spaces regarding the festival 41.
Additionally, Hastings asks that China impose strict food safety regulations and animal cruelty

laws specifically regarding dogs42. If the United States were to act on this proposition, not only

would the 11 million people who signed the petition be put at ease, but the image of the Chinese

would be vindicated and those who participate in these acts of torture would be held accountable

and given proper punishments.

Moving forward

Many actors and figureheads can use their platforms to take a stand against this corrupt festival.

First and foremost, the National Peoples Congress of China must put a permanent ban to the

festival. The role of a government is to protect the people of the nation it governs. The festival

has proven to harm the physical and mental well-being of the country, and benefits only the few

who make profit from the trade. For this reason, the National Peoples Congress must consider

the mindset of the majority of the country that believes this cruel festival is to end. The

government must enact animal cruelty laws and food administration organizations to prevent

future harm to the people of China. The festival is surrounded by crime, and if the government

does not take action and put an end to it, the rest of the world will view China as a government

that is lenient.

The Chinese Embassy must also work with both China and the United States to enact the

proposal of Hastings. The collaboration of China and the United States will help to end the

stigma around the Chinese, which hurts the reputation of the majority of its citizens.
Finally, citizens of China and anywhere else around the world must work to end the Lychee and

Dog Meat festival in China by never giving up. Signing the petition, adopting the rescued dogs,

and protesting Chinese commercialism are simple acts which collectively, and with full support

of the people, will draw attention to the Chinese government to take action.

This issue must not be ignored, given there is limited time before the next round of peril. Animal

abuse, crime, and food safety should not have to be of concern to anyone, and with the right

action there will no longer be citizens and dogs in danger.

Endnotes
1. Lindsey Jacobson, The History of
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2. Ed Yong, A New Origin Story for
Dogs, The Atlantic, June 02, 2016
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rchieve/2016/06/the-origin-of-
dogs/484976/.
3. ELIZABETH MACLEOD, TOP
DOGS: canines that made history
(Place of publication not identified:
ANNICK, 2017).
4. E. Bougerol, CNN
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/LIVING
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5. Evans, Kim Masters. "Service
Animals." In Animal Rights, 2009
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Series. Detroit: Gale, 2010.
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6. "The Issue," Stop Yulin Forever
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.stopyulinforever.org/the-
issue/.
7. Ibid.
8. "The Dog Meat Trade," The Dog
Meat Trade | Animal Welfare
Institute accessed April 04, 2017,
https://awionline.org/dogmeat.
9. "Yulin dog meat festival begins in
China amid widespread criticism,"
BBC News, June 21, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-
asia-china-36583400.
10. "Yulin dog meat festival begins in
China amid widespread criticism,"
BBC News, June 21, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-
asia-china-36583400 ; "The Issue,"
Stop Yulin Forever
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.stopyulinforever.org/the-
issue/.
11. Stuart Leavenworth, Correspondent.
2016. "Chinese pet owners start to
put a leash on dog meat traders."
Christian Science Monitor, June 16.
N.PAG. Academic Search Complete,
EBSCOhost (accessed April 4,
2017).
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
14. Ibid.
15. Ibid.
16. "The Issue," Stop Yulin Forever
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.stopyulinforever.org/the-
issue/.
17. "Yulin Festival: China Dog Meat
Eating Event Sparks Backlash,"
Time accessed April 04, 2017,
http://time.com/2891222/yullin-
festival-dog-meat-china/.
18. Ibid.
19. "Yulin dog meat festival begins in
China amid widespread criticism,"
BBC News, June 21, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-
asia-china-36583400.
20. Campbell, Charlie, and Chi Zhang.
2016. "Millions of Chinese Are
Calling For an End to the Yulin Dog
Meat Festival." Time.Com 1.
Academic Search Complete,
EBSCOhost (accessed April 4,
2017).
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Peter Li, "Friend or food? Dog meat
festival divides China," CNN, June
19, 2015 accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/opi
nions/china-yulin-dog-festival-peter-
li/.
24. Ibid.
25. "Animal Welfare Act," United States
Department of Agriculture
accessed April 04, 2017,
https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/anim
al-welfare-act.
26. Will Worley, "Yulin Dog Meat
Festival 2016: Dozens of animals
rescued from slaughter at annual
event in China," The Independent,
June 15, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/
world/asia/dozens-of-animals-
rescued-from-slaughter-at-yulin-dog-
meat-festival-a7083426.html.
27. Ibid.
28. "Foods," accessed April 04, 2017,
https://www.fda.gov/Food/default.ht
m.; "European Food Safety
Authority. European Food Safety
Authority | Trusted science for safe
food. Accessed April 04, 2017.
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/.
29. Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition, "Registration of Food
Facilities," U S Food and Drug
Administration Home Page
accessed April 04, 2017,
https://www.fda.gov/Food/Guidance
Regulation/FoodFacilityRegistration/
default.htm.
30. Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition, "Ingredients, Packaging &
Labeling," U S Food and Drug
Administration Home Page
accessed April 04, 2017,
https://www.fda.gov/Food/Ingredient
sPackagingLabeling/default.htm.
31. "International," European Food
Safety Authority
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/partner
snetworks/international.
32. Ibid.
33. Shanika Gunaratna, "Three ways you
can protest China's notorious dog
meat festival," CBS News, June 21,
2016 accessed April 04, 2017,
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/three
-ways-you-can-protest-chinas-
notorious-yulin-dog-meat-festival/.

34. Stephanie Petit, "Yulin Dog Meat

Festival: Celebrities Speak Out
Against Festival in PSA,"
PEOPLE.com, June 19, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://people.com/celebrity/yulin-
dog-meat-festival-celebrities-speak-
out-against-festival-in-psa/.

35. Ibid.

36. Ibid.

37. Ibid.

38. "Hastings Introduces Resolution

Condemning China's Yulin Dog
Meat Festival," U.S. House of
Representatives, May 25, 2016
accessed April 04, 2017,
http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/
documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=
398626.

39. Ibid.

40. Ibid.

41. Ibid.