Southwest China hospital staff ordered to stay away from ‘dog meat festival’

Medical staff have been ordered not to eat dog meat amid a growing backlash against an upcoming "dog meat festival" in the southwest mainland.

Doctors and nurses were told by health authorities not to eat dog meat in Yulin city in Guangxi province.

Traditionally, locals in Yulin celebrate the summer solstice by savouring dog meat, lychees and strong liquor. More than 10,000 dogs are slaughtered during the festival as tourists flood the streets to enjoy the controversial feast.

But protests from dog lovers and animal rights groups at home and abroad have forced the event to adopt a lower profile this year. The municipal government published a statement last Friday saying the festival was not a cultural tradition but an annual event held by restaurants and the public.

Staff from three local hospitals confirmed to the Southern Metropolis Daily yesterday employees had been told to refrain from eating dog meat in public. A notice of the ban was first posted on Weibo on May 29.

"According to the directive issued by higher authorities, hospital staff are prohibited from having dog meat at food stalls, restaurants or hotels in Yudong and Fumian districts," the notice read.