Seven dogs of different shapes and sizes trot along the guardrails of a busy highway, staying close together, as cars rush by: It’s only a few seconds of video—but it is sparking news stories and conversations in China, and now all over the world, about the dog meat trade.
Concerned viewers of the video suspected the dogs were pets stolen by dog meat traders, which is common in parts of China where the trade is active. Even though there is no evidence that these particular dogs fell victim to the meat trade, and the local department of tourism reportedly said that the group of dogs was merely on a walk-about, the reaction underscores the overwhelming desire from the majority of the public in China to see the dog meat trade ended.
Even if their escape from the trade is a rumor, the fact that the video of the seven dogs is capturing so much attention (it’s reportedly clocked up more than 230 million views) shows so much of the public, in China and all over the world, wants to see the dog meat trade end. Worldwide, an estimated 20 million dogs are killed for human consumption each year.
The seven dogs walked several kilometers back to their village together, chaperoned by local animal-loving volunteers, according to the South China Morning Post.
From what we can tell from the video, the dogs seem to be in pretty good condition. Dogs on dog meat trucks can spend hours, even days in transport, becoming terrified, exhausted, dehydrated and hungry before arriving for slaughter. We have seen them in so many heartbreaking, even deadly, conditions on transport trucks, which can carry hundreds of dogs at once.
China policy expert Peter Li gives more context to the video that adds another layer to the story: “Jilin province is one of China's worst provinces of dog meat sales,” Li explains. “The province is in Northeast China where about 1.1 million ethnic Koreans live. Dog meat traders have created a narrative saying dog meat is a culturally important household food of the ethnic Koreans, a narrative repeated by the authorities, without critically examining the source of the narration.”
In fact, most Koreans don’t eat dog meat, and South Korea is closing its dog meat industry, which further dispels that narrative. For years, Humane World for Animals Korea has been showing the world how activists inside the country have been working to end dog meat farming. Our Models for Change program has helped to show that it is possible to transition dog meat farmers to other ways of making a living, a change that has often been welcomed with open arms.
Now our program is also helping stop the dog meat trade in other countries. Earlier this month, we told you about our team and local partner helping a dog slaughterhouse and restaurant in Indonesia that closed its doors to transition to a more humane way of doing business. We have also helped dog meat traders in Viet Nam and India switch to livelihoods that are less dangerous and more humane.
Still, millions of dogs continue to suffer in the dog meat trade across Asia, many stolen from their families or snatched from their communities to be transported and slaughtered in restaurants, markets and slaughterhouses. The trade poses serious threats to public health, including the spread of rabies and other deadly diseases, while undermining regulations on food safety, public health and cross-border trade.
The tide is turning. When we first started working on closing dog meat farms in South Korea a decade ago, we were told that ending dog meat farming would be impossible. Then, in 2024, South Korea passed the ban on the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of dogs for food. Currently in a phase-out period, it’s expected the ban will come into full enforcement in early 2027.
China must acknowledge that change is coming, driven by strong public convictions concerning companion animal protection. A recent survey conducted in Dalian, a major city in China, found that 95% of citizens support legislation to protect companion animals and 99% support Dalian banning dog and cat meat.
“To prevent dog theft, China needs to outlaw the trade and explicitly recognize dogs as companion animals, not just as an owner’s property,” says Peter Li. “In the interim, efforts should be made to call on dog owners in rural areas to keep their dogs inside their backyard or indoors unless when waking them, to keep their dogs safe.”
All seven dogs from the video have reportedly been returned to their homes. Now it’s time to ensure that no dogs suffer for the meat trade.
Humane World for Animals/
End the dog and cat meat trade
Dogs and cats who are victims of the meat trade are mostly stolen pets or street animals that endure immense suffering before being slaughtered. Take action to speak out about this cruel and dangerous practice.
Kitty Block is president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. Follow Kitty Block.
