COVID-19 Update: Shenzhen Prepares Ban On Consumption Of Cats And Dogs

In light of the growing epidemic plaguing many nations, the booming metropolis of Shenzhen is making a move to prohibit the consumption of dogs and cats as the country cracks down on the wildlife trade that scientists conjecture led to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The draft regulation proposed by the municipal government lists nine meats that are permitted for consumption, including pork, chicken, beef and rabbit, as well as fish and seafood. Other uncommon meats such as lamb, donkey, ducks, geese and pigeon are also categorised as fit for consumption.

The ban is a prompt response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Coronaviruses are zoonotic diseases meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans. Some of the earliest infections of COVID-19 were detected in people who had exposure to a poorly regulated, live-animal market which dabbled in illegal wildlife trade in Wuhan, Hubei province. 

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Shenzhen’s proposal follows a decision by the central government on Monday for an expeditious ban in the trade and consumption of wild animals. However, its ban on dog and cat meat is not conceived as an effort to reduce transmission, but in view of the fact that humans and pets share a special relationship. It takes into consideration the “consensus of all human civilisation” rather than the fears arising from the deadly virus.

“Banning the consumption of wild animals is a common practice in developed countries and is a universal requirement of modern civilisation,” the notice stated.

Despite being sought-after dishes in South China, snakes, turtles and frogs were eliminated from the approved list. 

If the law is sanctioned, those found consuming protected animals would be fined up to 20,000 yuan (SGD$3,900) and up to 2,000 yuan (SGD$390) for non-protected animals. Shops supplying protected meat face fines of up to 50,000 yuan (SGD$9900). The draft lists more than 2,000 species of protected wildlife in China.

The draft regulation is currently in its public review phase and citizens will have till 5 March to respond.

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