China is well known for their exotic dishes, from sweet and sour chicken to chow mein. Dishes like these are very popular in the United States, and often become our favorite take-out meals on a Friday night. However, there is a huge difference between the types of meat American people consume and the types of meat that Chinese people consume. While the U.S. depends solely on chickens, pigs, and cows, China is huge on dogs. That's right: DOGS. Those loving, adorable, furry, sweet creatures that happily greet you every time you walk through your front door.

Every June, China holds a dog meat festival within the city of Yulin. This is not an ordinary dog meat festival. How do they get a hold of all these dogs, you ask? People who work for the festival capture and steal dogs. So, they could basically just walk into your yard and take your dog away to be killed for other people's enjoyment. In no way whatsoever is that okay. Us Americans are lucky because we can let our dogs play around in the park or walk them without having to worry about them being stolen for meat. But in Yulin, almost no dog is safe.

*WARNING: I am about to discuss the process, and the details are graphic. Please feel free to skip the following paragraph*

The cruel process starts off by dog killers who steal dogs, often poisoning them, where they are then shoved in large numbers into small cages. They are not given any food or water, and many often become sick. If they don't end up dying, they arrive at a slaughterhouse, which are filthy. The dogs are then snared by the neck and are dragged inside from their cages.

Next, they are bludgeoned/stabbed to death, either in the neck or groin area, so they can bleed out. Some are hanged, and some have even been electrocuted. Some have been boiled alive as well. Beatings have also been common. This is just plain and simply horrific.

After learning about the existence of this so-called "festival", I was appalled. I understand that dog meat is a cultural aspect in China; however, I do not believe that innocent dogs should be stolen from their families in order to be eaten by others. A total of around 10 million dogs have been killed, and the numbers add up every year. This festival lasts for around 10 days, which means that more and more dogs are being put through this gruesome process every day.

Lately, people have been rising up in order to put a stop to this festival. Many Americans, as well as some Chinese people, have started petitions to cease this cruel event. The Yulin Dog Meat Festival's purpose is to celebrate the summer solstice, but is stealing and killing family pets necessary?

There is honestly no reason why dogs should be involved. There's even a festival in Nepal that honors and thanks dogs for their loyalty on Diwali. I'll insert a picture because after reading this, I'm sure you need it:

That is not blood, it's colored powder!

Hey China, why can't you do something like this? Not only does it keep dogs alive, but it honors them as well. Is there not a way to celebrate the summer solstice by doing something else, such as dancing, or music, or even different types of food? Honestly, the millions of innocent deaths are not worth satisfying your taste buds.

If you believe that the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival should be shut down, please sign this petition.