Shenzhen now bans consumption of cat and dog meat to prevent COVID-19

Shenzen has become the first city in China to ban eating cat and dog meat after the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

As announced by its local government, under their new policy, it will be an illegal act to eat animals that are considered pets.

Policy: “the consensus of all human civilization”

Initially, the municipal government has drafted the policy (banning the consumption of wild animals) as a reflection of the special bond between people and pets. However, it turned out as a swift response to the outbreak as COVID-19 was thought to have originated in a wildlife market in Wuhan, Hubei Province last year.

Non-consumption of wild animals

As events unfolded, Shenzen’s approved policy now forbids eating state-protected wild animals and other terrestrial wild species that are captive-bred and farmed.

Animals that can still be consumed include:

• Cattle
• Chicken
• Donkey
• Duck
• Goose
• Pigeon
• Pig
• Rabbit
• Sheep
• Quail
• Aquatic animals not prohibited by other policies

What will happen to violators

It won’t be easy to end the trade

In 2003,  consumption of civets became prohibited after it was found out that it’s possible that they transfer the SARS virus to humans. Even the trade of snakes was banned after this.

Now, having this new policy from Shenzhen doesn’t mean ending the trade all at once. It will definitely be hard knowing that it has long been part of Chinese cultural practices to use certain wild animals not just for consumption but also for traditional medicine, clothing, and ornaments among others. It won’t be easy, but it’s one step towards battling the main enemy, which is the COVID-19.