MSNBC: Chinese activists rescue dogs destined for dinner table

[Omaha Steve]

http://behindthewall.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/19/6496746-chinese-activists-rescue-dogs-destined-for-dinner-table


AP
In this photo taken on April 16, 2011 and released by Capital Animals Welfare Association, dogs rescued by animal lovers are released from their truck at a shelter in Beijing, China.


By Bo Gu, NBC News

BEIJING – Traffic was running smoothly on a highway just outside Beijing last Friday – until a man noticed an enormous truck carrying stacks of caged dogs.

Mr. An, an animal rights activist and volunteer at Beijing-based China Small Animal Protection Association, saw the cramped, whimpering dogs and decided to do something. His decision ended up saving the lives of 580 canines, who were on their way to the northeastern city of Changchun, where they were to be slaughtered and eventually served for dinner.

An, who refuses to reveal his full name or profession, swerved his car several times to intercept the truck, forcing it to slow down and stop. He then called a friend for help. The friend published a plea on Sina Weibo, a Twitter-like social media platform popular in China, and soon more than 100 animal rights activists had gathered with water, medicine and food for the dogs, who the truck driver later admitted were headed for restaurants in Changchun.

They sprayed water on the truck to cool the dogs down and fed them, while others argued with the truck driver and requested to see his quarantine license, which is required for transporting live animals. One dog gave birth to five puppies through the metal bars of her cage. Many of the dogs were wearing collars or chains, making the volunteers suspicious that they had been stolen from their owners, which the driver denied.

The scuffle attracted the police, who said the animal lovers had no right to stop the truck or traffic. But the dispute over the dogs’ fate continued for another 15 hours. Finally, around 1 a.m., a solution was reached: Two groups there, pet company LeepPet Holding Corp. and animal rights group Shangshan Animal Fund, agreed to buy the dogs from the driver for $17,690.

FULL story and video at link.

[itsrobert]

1. So they ended up eating Pigs, Poultry, Cattle

Maybe a few horses.

[Raine]

10. "crepe hanger"

x(

[itsrobert]

2. What do they plan on feeding these dogs?

?

[jtuck004]

3. Possibly cereal like we feed many of the dogs here. eom

[demmiblue]

4. Heartwarming! K&R

:thumbsup:

:D

[mimitabby]

5. nothing was said about restoring them to their owners

lots of the dogs had collars!

[sasha031]

6. I'm glad to see their are animal activist in China

and some Chinese are realizing dogs and hopefully cats are sentient beings.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

7. click on the link, you can post it to your facebook

activists for compassion!!!

YAYYY!! MOre of this!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

8. Whew...

I misunderstood and thought the activists' dogs were going to be eaten. I am so relieved!!!

[Raine]

9. WONDERFUL to see that there are animal activists

in China. :applause: