Stop killing dogs, cats for human consumption: US House urges India, China

The US House of Representatives urged countries such as India, China, South Korea and Vietnam to stop slaughtering dogs and cats for human consumption. A resolution in this regard was passed by the US House, which also asked these countries to end the dog and cat meat trade.  

The US house, in a non-controversial voice vote, also passed a bill to ban Americans from slaughtering the animals for human consumption.

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The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018 prohibits the intentional slaughtering for human consumption and imposes a fine of $5,000 (more than Rs 3,50,000) for each violation.

“Dogs and cats are meant for companionship and recreation. Tragically, more than 10 million dogs are killed for human consumption every year in China...There is no place in our compassionate society for these practices. This bill is a reflection of America’s values, and sends a strong message to all nations that we will not stand for this inhumane and cruel treatment,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

Republican Vern Buchanan and Democratic Alcee Hastings had sponsored the act.

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 Eating of dog meat is common in some parts of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. In South Korea,  meat traders slaughter and kill millions of dogs for the table after they are raised on thousands of “farms.” In China, dog meat butchers gather up street dogs and and kill them. 

(With PTI inputs)