Racecar driver Lewis Hamilton is a huge dog lover. He has two adorable Bulldogs of his own, and he’s very passionate about dog rights. One of his biggest concerns is the dog meat trade in China. He knows how amazing every dog is, so the racer desperately wants the dogs in China to be saved.
With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, there has been a lot of talk about putting an end to China’s dog meat trade. Shenzhen recently became the first city in Mainland China to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat. However, the rest of China still has a meat trade problem that needs to be stopped.
Hamilton’s Stance on Dog Meat Trade
The Formula One champion posted a special message on his Instagram story during the pandemic. He made an attempt to reach out to his fans about the concerns he has about the dog meat trade. He begged fans in China to do whatever they could to stop dogs from being used for meat.
“To all my fans in China. I’d be grateful if you could vote and push for this. This has to stop,” Hamilton wrote.
Along with this message, Hamilton also shared a photo from Little China Dog Rescue. It showed some poor dogs kept in a tiny cage as they awaited their horrifying fate.
Hamilton posted this after China’s Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs released a draft policy about dogs. The draft states that dogs will be classified as ‘companions’ instead of ‘livestock’. If dogs finally become ‘special companion animals’ in China, then they will no longer be on the list of animals that can be raised for meat.
What Can We Do to Help?
Sadly, about 10 million dogs are killed every year in China’s dog meat trade, according to Humane Society International. Most people in China don’t consume dog meat, but the dog meat trade is still a serious issue. If this draft policy becomes a reality, it would be a huge game-changer for animal rights in China.
“With the progress of human civilization and the public’s concern and preference for animal protection, dogs have changed from traditional domestic animals to companion animals,” said the ministry. “Dogs are generally not regarded as livestock and poultry around the world. China should also not manage them as livestock or poultry.”
Not only is the dog meat trade a disgusting and inhumane business, but it also provides hazards for humans. The coronavirus is thought to have originated from China’s wet market. Other unusual animals such as foxes and minks are also used for meat in China. Eating these strange meats is likely what started this situation. So, for the safety of both humans and animals, China needs to put an end to these ridiculous operations.
Hamilton encourages everyone in China to help push for this draft to go through. Also, no matter where you live, it’s important to spread the word. Sign the pledge for Humane Society International to help speak out against the cruel meat trade. Hopefully, all of China will be able to put an end to this as soon as possible.
H/T: totallyveganbuzz.com
Featured Image: @LewisHamilton/Facebook and @LittleChinaDogRescue/Facebook
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