Eating Cats & Dogs Officially Banned In Shenzhen, First Chinese City To Do So

Shenzhen Bans Consumption Of Cats & Dogs From 1 May

Many suspects that wildlife trade has led to the emergence of Covid-19, although the world is still scrambling to confirm its true origin.

Taking heed of the virus’ unprecedented outbreak, Shenzhen city in China had proposed a ban in wildlife trade to avoid a coronavirus 2.0 in late February.

Now, these plans are finally turning into a reality.

On Thursday (2 Apr), BBC reports that Shenzhen will ban the practice of eating cats and dogs from 1 May.

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They are now the first Chinese city to implement such a ban.

Bans consumption on cats & dogs

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, China enforced a widespread ban on sale and consumption of wild animals in February. According to Business Insider, this move aimed to stop zoonotic diseases from transmitting between animals and humans.

Shenzhen is taking this a step further by prohibiting the practice of eating domestic animals like cats and dogs.

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This move may put a stop to the slaughter of around 4 million cats and 10 million dogs per year, according to China policy specialist Dr Peter Li in BBC’s report.

Since many people have formed bonds with their pets, it’s unusual for Chinese to eat cat or dog meat, contrary to what others may think.

Wuhan residents living in Singapore had also voiced out against the bat-eating stereotypes earlier this year. They had clarified that most of their community do not eat exotic creatures.

Restriction extends to eating wildlife

Shenzhen’s inaugural law will also extend to consumption, breeding, and sale of animals from the wild, “state-protected animals”, and “farmed terrestrial wild species”, reports CNN.

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The only meat types with a green light for human consumption include:

• Cattle
• Chicken
• Donkey
• Duck
• Goose
• Pig
• Pigeon
• Quail
• Rabbit
• Sheep
• Aquatic animals not prohibited by the law.

Those found guilty of selling, breeding and consuming wild species will be subjected to a fine from S$30,290 (150,000 yuan) to S$40,387 (200,000 yuan).

This is if the activities involved are valued at less than S$2,020 (¥10,000). If the animal is worth more than S$2,020 (¥10,000), then offenders will be issued fines amounting to 20-30 times the animal’s price.

Preventing another coronavirus pandemic

Scientists theorised that SARS and Covid-19 originated from bats and pangolins.

The root cause of Covid-19 is yet to be revealed. But it’s comforting to know that Shenzhen isn’t taking chances and exercising all means necessary to avoid another coronavirus.

Ultimately, stopping the wildlife trade is in the hands of shoppers and consumers. While indulging in peculiar meat seems appealing for some, it may be time to end the habit for the betterment of society.

Featured image from Change.org