"Nightmare" video shows caged cats and dogs awaiting fate before China's 'cruel' meat festival
A sickening video shows caged cats and dogs waiting to be slaughtered before China's meat festival - which sees up to 10,000 animals killed in a few days.
The annual festival takes place in Yulin, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and is celebrated each year in June.
But a new report from the Humane Society International (HSI) suggests the animals are actually being slaughtered all year round - not just during the event.
With 11 weeks to go until this year's festival, HSI China Police Specialist Dr Peter Li has travelled from Beiing to Yulin, bringing evidence of slaughter.
Dogs are kept in cages ahead of the meat festival
HSI estimates that as many as 300 dogs are killed for food every day, many of them beaten to death in public, including near schools and children.
It claims that the video footage was taken between March 29 and April 2 in two slaughter operations in Yulin.
Butcher grills slaughtered dogs at the festival
Dog meat is believed to be readily available in restaurants around the city.
Read more: Slaughtered pet dogs hanging on hooks in undercover footage
One restaurant owner told HSI that whenever he needs dogs, he simply calls a trader and dogs are provided immediately.
HSI believes up to 300 animals could be being slaughtered per day
There is a constant supply with at least one truck every day bringing live dogs from areas outside the city and other parts of the country.
HSI also believes that is likely both cats and dogs are being stolen to meet the demand for food.
Demand for food means more cats and dogs are being stolen
The Yulin authorities have now confined the slaughtered to the days of the festival only, and deny any kind of activity taking place outside of the event.
Read more: The brutal dog eating festival that sees hounds beaten to death
But Dr Li said: "This was one of the most harrowing visits Ive ever made to Yulin.
"The dogs and cats I saw were visibly traumatised, their spirits broken from their terrifying ordeal.
A puppy is held up for viewing by a customer at the festival
"Its hard to imagine their mental suffering, watching other dogs being killed, disemboweled and dismembered in front of them.
"It was like a scene from a nightmare that will haunt me forever.
"It shocked me to see how close these awful scenes are to local schools, with a high risk of young children being exposed to sounds and sights of extreme animal suffering.
The animals are kept in appalling conditions
"And it is apparent from the volume of dogs, and animals wearing pet collars, that Yulin remains a hub for dog and cat theft.
Read more: Ricky Gervais slams 'horrible' China dog meat festival
"It is astonishing that this illegal and cruel trade is tolerated, and so HSI is joining hands with our Chinese animal group partners to urge the Chinese government to crack down on the trade in time to halt the Yulin festival once and for all.
The annual festival takes place in Yulin, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and is celebrated each year in June.
But a new report from the Humane Society International (HSI) suggests the animals are actually being slaughtered all year round - not just during the event.
With 11 weeks to go until this year's festival, HSI China Police Specialist Dr Peter Li has travelled from Beiing to Yulin, bringing evidence of slaughter.
Dogs are kept in cages ahead of the meat festival
HSI estimates that as many as 300 dogs are killed for food every day, many of them beaten to death in public, including near schools and children.
It claims that the video footage was taken between March 29 and April 2 in two slaughter operations in Yulin.
Butcher grills slaughtered dogs at the festival
Dog meat is believed to be readily available in restaurants around the city.
Read more: Slaughtered pet dogs hanging on hooks in undercover footage
One restaurant owner told HSI that whenever he needs dogs, he simply calls a trader and dogs are provided immediately.
HSI believes up to 300 animals could be being slaughtered per day
There is a constant supply with at least one truck every day bringing live dogs from areas outside the city and other parts of the country.
HSI also believes that is likely both cats and dogs are being stolen to meet the demand for food.
Demand for food means more cats and dogs are being stolen
The Yulin authorities have now confined the slaughtered to the days of the festival only, and deny any kind of activity taking place outside of the event.
Read more: The brutal dog eating festival that sees hounds beaten to death
But Dr Li said: "This was one of the most harrowing visits Ive ever made to Yulin.
"The dogs and cats I saw were visibly traumatised, their spirits broken from their terrifying ordeal.
A puppy is held up for viewing by a customer at the festival
"Its hard to imagine their mental suffering, watching other dogs being killed, disemboweled and dismembered in front of them.
"It was like a scene from a nightmare that will haunt me forever.
"It shocked me to see how close these awful scenes are to local schools, with a high risk of young children being exposed to sounds and sights of extreme animal suffering.
The animals are kept in appalling conditions
"And it is apparent from the volume of dogs, and animals wearing pet collars, that Yulin remains a hub for dog and cat theft.
Read more: Ricky Gervais slams 'horrible' China dog meat festival
"It is astonishing that this illegal and cruel trade is tolerated, and so HSI is joining hands with our Chinese animal group partners to urge the Chinese government to crack down on the trade in time to halt the Yulin festival once and for all.
