Shenzhen Becomes The First City In China To Ban The Consumption Of Cats And Dogs
According to BBC, Shenzhen has officially become the first city in China to ban the consumption of cat and dog meat!
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As the news site notes, the ban is in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after some of the earliest infections were found in people who reportedly visited a wildlife market in Wuhan. BBC cited officials via a Reuters report who explained that the Shenzhen government decided to extend the ban to cats and dogs since these pets “have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals.”
It was said that the proposed change will fine folks who work in Shenzhen restaurants serving dog and cat meat. The new law will go into effect on May 1. The news comes as the coronavirus epidemic prompted China to permanently ban the trade of wild animals as food back in February, but not for medicinal use.
Now, although it is unclear which animal transferred the virus to humans, CNN reported that China has acknowledged that it needs to bring its lucrative wildlife industry under control if it is to prevent another outbreak. Meanwhile, The United Nations’ biodiversity chief has called for a global ban on wildlife markets to prevent future pandemics.
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