China: The Killing of Pets and the Consumption of Dog Meat

A man wearing a face mask amid concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak walks holding his dog along the promenade of the Bund along Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, on March 20, 2020. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

China has an odd relationship with animals. For example, it is now illegal to walk your dog without a leash; yet, in almost every village, town, and city, it’s not illegal to consume dog meat. Across the country, even as rates of pet ownership increase, acts of animal cruelty appear to know no bounds.