Shenzen, in southeastern China, has become the first city in the country to ban the consumption of cats the dogs, indicating a response to the demand and spirit of human civilisation.

Under new rules which will come into effect on 1 May 2020, the Government said it will be illegal to eat animals raised as pets. Back in February, following the outbreak of COVID-19, China passed a law to ban the consumption of wild animals. Now, Shenzen will prohibit the consumption of state-protected wild animals well, other terrestrial animals taken from the wild, as well as captive bred and farmed terrestrial species. In addition, the consumption of animals raised as pets will also be banned.

Authorities have announced that anyone who is convicted will be subjected to a fine of 30 times the value of the wild animal, if the animal is above the value of 10,000CNY (HKD$10,930).

The Humane Society International estimates that thirty million dogs a year are killed across Asia for meat.