Chinese City Claims It Has Banned Eating Dogs, Cats. Be Skeptical.

The Chinese city of Shenzhen has reportedly banned people from eating dogs and cats as part of an effort to clamp down on the wet markets that are believed to have caused the outbreak of the coronavirus.

“Authorities in the southern Chinese technology hub said the ban on eating dogs and cats would come into force on May 1,” Reuters reported. “Provincial and city governments across the country have been moving to enforce the ruling but Shenzhen has been the most explicit about extending that ban to dogs and cats.”

“Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” the Shenzhen government said in an order. “This ban also responds to the demand and spirit of human civilization.”

The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, has infected over 950,000 people worldwide and killed well over 48,000, based on reported numbers. There is overwhelming evidence that the real numbers of both cases and deaths is significantly higher than what is being reported.

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