The Coronavirus outbreak is believed to emerge from wet markets of Wuhan where wild animals are killed on the spot and sold to the customers. The outbreak has severely affected the economy and led to thousands of deaths.
Therefore, Shenzhen, situated in Southern Guangdong, passed an act called “Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Regulations on the Comprehensive Ban on Wild Animals,” which clearly states the ban on consumption of cats and dogs.
The Act is not limited to cats and dogs; instead, it includes terrestrial wild animals and animals protected by the nation that grow and procreate in the wild, and Terrestrial wild animals that are fed artificially for breeding. The act further prohibits hunting of wild animals for their meat, animal products, experimentation, public display, testing of medicines, etc.
The Municipal Authorities stated that “Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan. This ban also responds to the demand and spirit of human civilization.”
The act clearly states that slaughtering of livestock and poultry is not allowed without permission; neither is the sale of livestock or poultry for providing food purposes. The Act has been passed amid Coronavirus pandemic as the Municipal Corporation feels that overeating of wild animals needs to be ceased. They believe that it is essential to adopt a healthy and ecological lifestyle, and it is important to ensure the impact of slaughtering on the ecosystem.
The act also states the fine that one has to pay on breaking the rules. The violations will result in the penalty of 15,000 yuans i.e., 16 lakh rupees and severe punishments depending on the violation. China is adopting stricter measures after the Corona outbreak as it also announced a ban on the sale and consumption of wild animals in February 2019. Now the ban on consumption of cats and dogs will be effective from May 2020.
