As the dog days of summer approach, so too do the dog meat “festivals” in China and South Korea. While dog meat is consumed throughout the year in both countries, there is a considerable increase during the summer months as the myth of dog meat increasing one’s stamina and male virility persists.

China’s Yulin Dog Meat “Festival” is again set to take place in June, followed by South Korea’s Boknal Days, spanning from July to August, on the hottest days of the summer according to the lunar calendar. Many of the dogs in China have been stolen from their loving families while those in South Korea have already endured horrifying treatment on one of the many dog meat farms. Thousands of dogs are crammed into small cages and transported without food or water, many suffering broken bones or dying before reaching their final destination. Those that do survive can only wait their turn as they watch other dogs being tortured and killed for human consumption.

Those supporting the consumption of dog meat often claim the practice holds cultural or traditional significance. We, however, maintain that neither is ever an excuse for cruelty. The severe human health issues are being ignored, including cholera, trichinellosis and rabies, all of which have been traced back to the dog meat trade.

Local and international condemnation of the dog meat trade throughout Asia has grown in recent years. Most recently, more than eight million Chinese citizens voted via the Chinese government’s own website in support of proposed legislation calling for a ban of the dog and cat meat trade..

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