Beijing Strays 'Sold to Restaurants'

POLICE in Beijing used "hired thugs" to raid homes in search of unlicensed dogs, as part of a campaign to tidy the capital for the 50th anniversary of Communist rule, animal welfare campaigners claimed.

Seized animals are theoretically held in dog pounds until their owners arrive to pay steep fines for their release. However, many owners cannot afford the £600 ($950) penalty - nearly a year's wages for a worker - to free a detained pet.

Grace Gabriel, China Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said unwanted dogs and strays were "often sold to dog restaurants for food".

Other owners have arrived to pay their fines and license fees, only to be told their dogs have died. "Thugs hired off the street" have crammed 10 dogs at a time into cages designed for two, leading to deaths from crushing and thirst.

Dissidents, beggars and petty criminals were being rounded up before the anniversary.

PetPics Comment:

Presumably the dissidents, beggars and petty criminals were released and not sold to restaurants.