NPR

China's Doggy Debate: Dog Meat Lovers Vs. Dog Lovers

The country's changing attitudes toward pets are highlighted by the annual dog meat festival in Yulin City. The government issues a ban on dog meat sale, then promptly reversed it.

One of China's most controversial celebrations, the annual dog meat festival in southwest China's Yulin City, is underway.

The event inflames passions among the celebrants and their critics to such a degree that the local government seems to be in a bind, unable to placate either side. Activists say that this year, the government issued a ban on the sale of dog meat, only to reverse following an outcry from locals.

"It's really confusing," says Zhang Xiaohai, secretary general of the AITA Foundation for Animal Protection in

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