By Susan Abram
Dogs in a cage during the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in 2016.
Marc Ching, 38, is the founder of the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation based in Sherman Oaks. He has made several trips to China and Cambodia to end dog meat sales and festivals. China, November,2015.
With the annual Yulin dog meat festival approaching in the southern region of China, Los Angeles County Supervisors will consider Tuesday joining a national effort to pressure the government there to stop the practice of slaughtering the canines for consumption and trade.
Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced the motion to request that county officials craft a letter in support of a growing movement to urge China to end the dog meat trade and the festival.
In January, a resolution was introduced by Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings that asks the U.S. government to condemn the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in the Guangxi region because of extreme animal cruelty.
“Los Angeles County is home to millions of people who care deeply about preventing animal abuse and suffering,” Solis wrote in her motion.
“Los Angeles County is home to millions of people who care deeply about preventing animal abuse and suffering,” Solis wrote in her motion.
“On behalf of our residents, I ask the Board of Supervisors to join me in condemning the Yulin dog meat festival, and the rampant abuse and torture of dogs and cats for human consumption in both China and South Korea.”
The news that county officials want to support the national effort was a welcomed surprise to Marc Ching, who began his Sherman Oaks-based Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation to rescue abused dogs from the meat trade throughout Asia.
“I think it’s great,” Ching said.
The news that county officials want to support the national effort was a welcomed surprise to Marc Ching, who began his Sherman Oaks-based Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation to rescue abused dogs from the meat trade throughout Asia.
“I think it’s great,” Ching said.
“The more awareness the better.”
Ching, 38, was on his way to South Korea on Monday to speak with the government there about that country’s dog meat trade.
Ching, 38, was on his way to South Korea on Monday to speak with the government there about that country’s dog meat trade.
It will mark his 12th trip to an Asian country where dogs are tortured before slaughtered then sold.
10,000 dogs are skinned alive during the 10-day Yulin festival, which begins on June 21.
10,000 dogs are skinned alive during the 10-day Yulin festival, which begins on June 21.
The animals, some of them pets that have been stolen, are then butchered and eaten as a way to mark the summer solstice, according to reports to Solis’ motion.
Ching has rescued some dogs and has photographed them in overcrowded cages during the Yulin festival.
His work and the efforts of activists has sparked a global backlash against China amid wide scale awareness of the practice.
His work and the efforts of activists has sparked a global backlash against China amid wide scale awareness of the practice.
Resentment toward animal activists also has grown among Chinese who eat dog meat, because among some, it is believe to have medicinal purposes.
Ching said he’s often told that as an American, he’s out to change tradition and that he should focus his efforts on helping exploited women or children.
“Even though I get criticized, or even though they might say you’re Chinese, your ancestors grew up with something like this, I say in time we changed,” he said.
“Even though I get criticized, or even though they might say you’re Chinese, your ancestors grew up with something like this, I say in time we changed,” he said.
“While I’m proud to be American and proud to be Chinese, I’m also proud to be human, and in time people become more compassionate. We learn what not to do and what we should do. Tradition cannot be an excuse for torturing anything.”
Ching said slavery was an example of a tradition that was changed in the U.S. Constitution.
“In China, they are living outdated mystic values, and they can change those things they once believed in that are no longer relevant.”
Ching said slavery was an example of a tradition that was changed in the U.S. Constitution.
“In China, they are living outdated mystic values, and they can change those things they once believed in that are no longer relevant.”
“It’s important for everyone to get involved in the anti-animal abuse and torture movement,” Solis said in an e-mailed statement Monday.
“This isn’t about a cultural difference. This is about pets being stolen and slaughtered in an inhumane way.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire