China’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival opened today despite rumours that authorities would impose a ban this year.

China’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival opened today despite rumours that authorities would impose a ban this year.

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Earlier this year, animal advocates — including celebrities like Lisa Vanderpump — celebrated the banning of dog meat sales at China’s Yulin Festival, an event infamous for slaughtering and selling thousands of pets each year.

Humane Society International shared the welcomed news, reporting that a ban on dog meat sales was in the works ahead of this year’s festival, which is scheduled to begin this week, with fines of 100,000 yuan for those who violate the ban.

Unfortunately, Animals Asia is now reporting that this initial news is wrong. According to the animal welfare organization, Yulin authorities are denying a ban on dog meat sales will be placed on the festival.

But multiple carcasses rested on some stalls at the main Nanqiao market, with stiff pointy tails, leathery yellow skin, eyes shut and bared teeth as if in a final growl.

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A vendor sells dog meat to a customer at the Nanqiao market as the festival begins today Photo:Dailymail

Outside the market, vendors sold stewed dog meat out of enormous steaming woks, shovelling big portions into plastic bags for passing customers.

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Dog meat is served at a restaurant in Yulin, in China’s southern Guangxi region, on June 21 Photo:Dailymail

‘Despite the fact that there does not seem to be a ban on all dog meat, the festival appears to be smaller this year, with fewer dogs losing their lives to this cruel industry,’ Irene Feng of Animals Asia told AFP. 

However, a Chinese animal lover, who calls herself Kimi, told MailOnline that this year’s Yulin Dog Meat Festival was as busy as usual.

‘All the restaurants were packed. In some big markets, dog meat is still being sold in broad day light,’ she said.

Kimi said a group of animal lovers saved 1,200 dogs in Guangzhou on June 19. 

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The animals were heading towards Zhanjiang City where there is a demand for dog meat   Photo: AsiaWire

The animals were saved after they were found squashed inside tiny cages on a lorry heading towards Zhanjiang, where the festival begins today.

Animal rights activists carefully unloading the animals before taking them to safety.

Sadly 30 of the animals had already died as a result of suffocation.

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The volunteers said at least 30 appeared to have died as a result of suffocation Photo: AsiaWire

The lorry driver’s horrific load was discovered after he produced fake papers, according to onlookers at the scene in Guangzhou City.

The lorry driver was also not able to provide proof of purchase – leading to suggestions that the animals had been captured off the street or even stolen.

The animal rights activists have since involved Chinese authorities, who are now investigating the legality of the shipment.

This will include inspecting the source of the animals as well as the conditions in which they were being transported.

6.jpgThe lorry driver was not able to provide proof of purchase either Photo:AsiaWire

Meanwhile, the animals have been freed from their cages and sent to rescue shelters across the province.

The Asia branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – known commonly as PETA – has also been reposting videos and requests for medical supplies by volunteers.

Animals rights campaigners are currently trying to ban the annual Lychee and Dog Meat Festival – but have so far been unsuccessful.

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