After coronavirus outbreak, China upgrades dogs from 'livestock' to 'pets'
In a recent move, China has decided to classify dogs as 'pets' as opposed to 'livestock'. The decision was mentioned in a policy document issued on April 8 by the country's agriculture ministry detailing a list of animals categorized as livestock in China. The move comes as China faces increased backlash over its eating habits in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak.
'Dogs have evolved from livestock to companion animals'
The notice read, "Alongside the development of human civilization and the public's care toward protecting animals, dogs have now evolved from being traditional livestock to companion animals," as per a translation in Quartz. It also noted that dogs are generally not considered livestock around the world. However, although the status of dogs has been upgraded, authorities are yet to ban the consumption of pets.
10 million dogs, 4 million cats slaughtered annually in China
Reportedly, in China, 10 million dogs and four million cats are slaughtered for consumption every year, according to Hong Kong-based animal welfare group Animals Asia. However, of late, the public's mood has shifted due to the growing number of pet lovers in China.
Pigs, cows, chickens, etc., listed under 'traditional livestock'
The document also listed 13 animals as "traditional livestock," including pigs, cows, chickens, and turkeys, and 18 animals as "special livestock," which included various kinds of deer. These could be raised for the purpose of eating. The list is "dynamic" and could be revised to include more animals and the ministry will continue to take public suggestions on the draft document until May 8.
Recently, Shenzhen had banned eating cats and dogs
In February, China had banned the consumption of wildlife on the heels of the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this month, Shenzhen had become the first Chinese city to ban the consumption of cats and dogs. The city also banned eating state-protected and other terrestrial wild animals. The move is significant as the novel coronavirus is said to have originated from a Wuhan wet market.
China had once before banned wet markets, wildlife farming
Notably, the 2003 SARS outbreak was also traced to a wet market in Foshan, Guangzhou. After the outbreak, wet markets and wildlife farming were banned. However, the ban was later lifted. The current outbreak—which involves the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2—is believed to have originated from the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan late last year. It has since killed 100,000 and sickened 16 lakh across 170+ countries.
