Target: Xi Jinping, President of China

Goal: Shut down annual Yulin dog meat festival for good.

The annual dog meat festival in Yulin, China is approaching once again, despite several years’ worth of efforts to shut it down. While the government responded to the protests by “officially” prohibiting the slaughter of dogs in 2016, preparations for the festival continued for two years in a row.

Nearly 15,000 dogs are slaughtered every year for this festival, and in the most brutal fashion due to a belief that torturing the poor creatures before their deaths improves the taste of the meat. Worse, a good chunk of the dogs captured and tortured for the festival are pets stolen from loving homes and families. Not only is this festival a celebration of a trade that should have died a long time ago, but it is founded upon cold-blooded torture and theft.

Currently, China’s animal activists are working to rescue as many dogs as they can, including apprehending trucks transporting innocent pets and strays to slaughterhouses. But these noble actions are not enough. These dogs should not need to be rescued in the first place, as this festival should no longer be held. Sign this petition to shut down the Yulin dog meat festival once and for all.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Xi,

The Yulin dog meat festival is approaching, despite countless efforts by animal welfare activists to shut it down for good. Your 2016 ban on the slaughter of dogs for their meat did nothing to stop 15,000 dogs per year from being kidnapped off the streets or from loving homes, brutally tortured, and killed for the sake of a festival that should not even be held anymore.

You must not only call for the cancellation of this year’s dog meat festival, but declare a permanent ban on the event. This is not just a festival celebrating an outdated trade, but one that relies on kidnapping and murder of beloved pets, as well as the horrific torture of dogs under the guise of a superstition that such treatment improves the taste of the meat. It is a cruel and disgusting practice that must end now. Cancel the festival, for this year and for all future years. Dogs deserve better.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Alekma