Making a meal of dogs could become illegal, says Downing Street

‘Legislation against dog meat in the UK could influence other countries to stop dog meat consumption’

THERESA MAY is considering a ban on eating dogs after campaigners warned the practice could be happening in Britain.

The consumption of dogs is not illegal in the UK, but the import and commercial trade in dog meat is outlawed.

Downing Street said ministers will “look closely” at copying legislation in the US that imposes a total ban on the import, trade and consumption of dog meat. Animal rights campaigners believe a total ban in the UK would help to send a powerful message to the rest of the world.

Dogs are eaten in some Far Eastern countries, often in the belief that their flesh is a health tonic.

Mrs May’s spokesman said the Government would examine the changes made in the US.

“Britain is a nation of animal lovers and we continue to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world,” he said. “We wish to maintain that.” Sir Alan Duncan, a Foreign Office minister, has said that a total ban on dog meat would be “absolutely right”.

The World Dog Alliance (WDA) is to launch a campaign in the UK for a full ban on any activity relating to the eating of dogs. Kike Yuen from the WDA told The Sun: “In the US, people who eat dog meat are mainly immigrants from Asia.

“With three million immigrants from East Asia in the UK, we cannot deny this situation exists here too.

“We also believe legislation against dog meat in the UK would provide us with strength to continue our work in Asia, as the UK could influence other countries to stop dog meat consumption. Most of them usually refused to do so with the excuse that there is no such law in Western countries.”