Animal proteins or company?

Beijing  dogs that have been raised once for food are now kept as family pets of the rights of animals in Chinaactivists rescued about 500 dogs destined for dinner table after the judgment of a truck transporting animals.

They bought the dogs of the $18,000 truck driver (￡ 11 000) following a stalemate along the road involving the police.

The animals are now recovering at a compound on the outskirts of Beijing and a number of animal hospitals around the city.

The incident illustrates how a growing number of people Chinese view today dogs - and cats - as pets rather than proteins.

It also reveals how China has a growing animal rights movement; people who are ready to take action on the streets.

Good for health?

Lovers of animals must sprung into action when they received an indication that a shipment of dogs going through Beijing.

Continue reading the main history of Chinese cuisine Fuchsia Dunlop writer

Judging by the sporadic waves of indignation eats dog in China, you think has been one of the pillars of the Chinese regime. In reality, however, the consumption of dog meat is extremely marginal: she is rarely seen in markets and on the menus of restaurants, and most people Chinese he eat rarely, if at all.

Dogs, like pigs, were reared for their meat in China since the Neolithic era, but in modern times, that their meat is considered a delicacy in some areas, such as the Hunan and Guizhou. Even in these places, it tends to be eaten only occasionally and in some seasons. According to traditional Chinese medicine, chien dog is a "heating" meat which may provide a useful boost in the winter, but it is preferable to avoid after the lunar new year.

In culinary terms, dog meat is usually bleached or soaked before cooking to dispel aspects earthier, more heavy for its flavour. It is then, in General, made in cooking slow soups and stews seasoned with ginger, green onions, rice and spices, wine even though it may also be roasted or served cold as an appetizer. The tender meat of puppies is favoured over that of older dogs.

Over many years of the study of Chinese cuisine, I ate only meat dog on a handful of occasions. The first time, it reminded me of pork. the second, in a devilishly spicy mixture of country, he recalled the taste of lamb.

Crammed together in cages, dogs have been driven out to the northeast of China to be sold to restaurants for their meat.

The dogs were eaten in China for centuries, with many people believe that they have medicinal properties.

When he heard, Wang Qi, who works for China Small Animal Protection Association, made an appeal on its site of micro-blog for people to stop the truck.

This is how many volunteers of the association to stay in touch.

"I sent the message and then dashed to the scene." People have begun to do so about an hour later. "In all, there are nearly 300 people", said Mr. Wang.

Police also mounted, but said that they did not have the power to intervene: the driver of the truck was breaking no law.

The impasse a toll lasted for 15 hours. Finally, in desperation, activists used their own money to buy the dogs to the driver of the truck.

Most animals have been taken to compound fortified Association just north of Beijing.

Many would not be welcome in many urban areas of the city, where the canine teeth that grow taller than 35 cm (1 ft) are prohibited.

Moved to tears

Some rescued dogs were sick. Securely packaged for easy transportation, they had struck and bitten each other.

Many also suffer parvovirus, a potentially fatal virus that attacks a dog intestines or heart.

Accompanied by volunteers, some have been taken to more than 20 animal hospitals. others are recovering at the compound of the association.

Days after the rescue, they still bore the scars of their ordeal. They lay blindfolded and recovery in individual cages.

The Lu Di animal rights activist sharing his house with a hundred of dogs and cats

Relief news spread rapidly, with hundreds of volunteers and supporters visiting the compound in the days that followed.

It is not easy to find - and a sign on the door warns women with a delicate to stay out - constitution but which have not prevented the love animals.

Then the BBC was a woman aged 80 years and her daughter in a car packed full of food for dogs - a donation for the association to the enclosure.

"I had heard of this organization before, but I've never been here." "I thought that I come and do everything I could," said pensioner.

Even the rain did not retain benevolent away, many seemed rich. Their cars flashy lined the road leading to the compound.

Some were simply overcome by the tragedy of the rescue dog and miserable condition that many animals were.

Volunteers turned to the association for the defence of animals when they heard the rescue

"I came with some food for dogs - I feel very bad," said Qi Jing, as she tried, unsuccessfully, to hold back the tears.

Later, the woman who founded the China Small Animal Protection Association, Lu Di, mounted with still more than voluntary.

Many were wearing masks, gloves and rubber Wellington boots and took orders gladly.

No one can accuse Ms read love not animal - she shared his house with a hundred of dogs and cats.

She said Chinese law adequately protect pets, which means people are forced to take things in hand.

"He does many volunteers here today because it's raining, but there is more than 100 here yesterday and the day before," she said, while ordering the chaotic compound cleaning.

The Chinese authorities are currently engaged in the largest crackdown dissent over the years, with lawyers, bloggers and activists arrested.

But this rescue dog shows that activism is still able to flourish in China, as long as it is the question of the law.