China is known for slaughtering dogs every year during the meat trade. However, Lincolnshire charity came as a blessing as through the past two years, they have rescued more than 400 dogs who were destined to be slaughtered.
Kerry Elliman, who lives in Binbrook near Market Rasen, founded Candy’s Hound Rescue, an organization that collaborates with Chinese shelters to relocate dogs to the UK. Elliman revealed that many of these dogs had experienced abuse, starvation, or confinement in cramped cages. She emphasized that her mission is not to eradicate the dog meat trade, as she acknowledges the improbability of that happening. Instead, she focuses on education, raising awareness about the often unknown aspects of the issue.
Mrs. Elliman stressed the importance of informing people about the harsh realities these dogs face. Humane Society, an International/UK charity, stated that most people in China and Asia do not consume dog meat. Opposition to the trade is growing due to concerns about animal cruelty and human health risks, such as the transmission of diseases like rabies. The charity collaborates with a Chinese group called Vshine, which advocates ending the dog and cat meat trade across Asia.
In June of this year, Vshine rescued 19 dogs from an illegal slaughterhouse near Yulin just before the city’s annual dog meat festival, where thousands of dogs and cats are slaughtered for consumption. One of the rescued dogs, Tang Tang, suffered repeated head blows and untreated diabetes from her time in the slaughterhouse. Mrs. Elliman highlighted the gruesome methods employed in weighing dogs for the meat trade, including tying metal wire around their legs.
Despite acknowledging that bringing dogs to the UK won’t save them all, Mrs. Elliman believes it makes a difference for the ones they can rescue. Wendy Higgins, representing Humane Society International/UK, emphasized a growing animal protection movement in China. She highlighted the efforts of their Chinese partner group, which works tirelessly to rescue animals, intercept trafficked animals, and shut down illegal slaughterhouses. Higgins also mentioned the success of a tip line in China, allowing the public to report illegal dog and cat meat trade activities, leading to the closure of restaurants and slaughterhouses across the country.