MP calls for ban on eating of dogs
A PROPOSED ban on eating dogs or selling dog meat for human consumption will be brought to Parliament this week.
The move by Conservative MP Bill Wiggin, a former shadow agriculture and food minister, comes as the Kennel Club this week joined a campaign to boycott the World Dog Show in China because of widespread practice of eating dogs there.
The North Hertfordshire MP is to lay down a 10-minute-rule Bill to make it an offence to consume dog meat and to transport, possess or donate dog meat for the purpose of consumption and for connected purposes.
Thirty million dogs are eaten every year around the world with over 10 million slaughtered in China.
Former newsreader Jan Leeming has hit out at the Chinese for eating dog meat. “I am often moved to tears on Twitter with the tales of animal cruelty but this is beyond belief,” she tweeted.
South Korea also has a high consumption
SET AN EXAMPLE:
of dog meat. Dogs are often boiled alive or beaten before they are killed to tenderise their meat.
Mr Wiggin said: “Happily there is no evidence that dog meat is eaten in the UK, but China argues that until we make it illegal why should they?
“Due to the vile way in which these dogs are treated, I would like our country to join in setting an example to the world.”
He added: “The animals are made to suffer brutally in the belief that raised adrenaline levels caused by pain improve the quality of the meat.”
Two months ago, a ban on the human consumption of dog meat was passed in the United States, following similar bans in Germany, Austria, South Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Mr Wiggin said: “My Ten Minute Rule Bill highlights how the UK Government could join these countries in standing up for animal welfare by bringing in a ban.”
Mr Wiggin’s debate is likely to put pressure on Environment Secretary Michael Gove who has pledged that after Brexit Britain will be able to impose the toughest animal welfare regulations in the world.
In a statement on its website, the Kennel Club has announced: “We are aware that the World Dog Show, organised by the FCI, is being held in China in 2019 and the Kennel Club will not be attending the show.
“The Kennel Club fully condemns the sale and consumption of dog meat and the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, held in China. The trade has long been associated with a large number of animal welfare violations, which include neglect towards the animals’ physical and mental needs, as they often live and are transported in crowded conditions without sufficient water or food.
“In addition, slaughtering methods are brutal with no regard to the welfare of the animal and the suffering caused. As such we have long lobbied for a ban on the sale of dogs for consumption as part of our extensive political work.”
The Yulin “Lychee and Dog Meat” festival is an annual 10-day event where over 10,000 dogs are eaten. Cat meat, fresh lychees and liquor are also on offer.