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SCMP Reporters

Please be aware that the following gallery contains some disturbing imagery and viewer discretion is advised. 
Humane Society Internationalís (HSI) China specialist Peter Li visited dog meat markets and slaughterhouses in Yulin city in the Guangxi region, where locals consume dog and cat meat to observe the summer solstice each year on June 21. HSI has been working with local groups in the country to end the animals' suffering. Though the dog meat trade is in decline, some slaughterhouses remain in operation.


Pet cemetery: chilling scenes inside China's dog and cat slaughterhouses

Cats are hung up for sale as meat at the Dong Kou market in Yulin, China. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

A trader cleans skinned dogs and cats. The dog on top was apparently a pet slaughtered for food, based on its breed. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

A cat climbs up the cage at the slaughterhouse, trying to escape.  This cat was later rescued by Peter Li. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

At 7am on May 26, a woman on a moped transports more than 10 dogs, which had just been slaughtered, to her market stall. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Two kitchen knives are shown stuck in an iron cage, which are used to butcher dozens of dogs and cats every day. These knives have to be sharpened daily due to the sheer number of animals they're used to slaughter.  Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Caged dogs sit on the side of Renminzhong Road before they are transferred to a slaughterhouse located in a narrow alley. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

At 6am on May 26, a group of cats from Sichuan Province arrive at Renmin Middle Road on a truck, before they are to be transported on carts to a slaughterhouse. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Hundreds of dogs await their death as they watch fellow dogs slaughtered before their eyes. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Dog meat displayed in a marketplace. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Late in the afternoon on May 25, residents shop for dog meat from a stall on Riverside Road. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Workers prepare dog and cat meat for sale. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

A truck arrives in Yulin on May 25 with nearly 1,000 dogs of various breeds crammed into narrow wire cages with no space to extend their limbs. According to the driver, the truck came from Sichuan province, 1,290 kilometres west of Yulin. The traumatised dogs waited in silence for the next stop on their journey. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Dogs are hung up for sale for meat in Dong Kou market, as a dog looks on. Photo: AP Images for Humane Society International

Peter Li holds a puppy's collar found at a slaughterhouse. Photo: AP Images/Humane Society International

Cruel trade: the flourishing cat-meat restaurants of north Vietnam

Cats await slaughter opposite the Quy Beo restaurant, in Va town, Bac Ninh province, Vietnam.

Diners at Quy Beo tuck in. 

Cat meat is moved from the Quy Beo restaurant owner's home opposite the eatery, where the animals are slaughtered.

A sign outside Quy Beo restaurant makes clear what is being served inside. 

The owner of the Quy Beo restaurant sweeps up bones, which will be used to make cat broth, a popular ingredient in medicinal recipes.

Cats await slaughter for human consumption.

News

China

People & Culture

DISTURBING IMAGERY, viewer discretion advised


Please be aware that the following gallery contains some disturbing imagery and viewer discretion is advised. 


Infographics