Chinese police smash dog-meat gang that stole pet canines and killed them for food
Beijing authorities say some strays may not have been quarantined, which have implications for food safety
Police in Beijing have smashed a dog meat workshop where stolen pets were killed to be eaten.
Several cages holding 34 dogs were found at a simple concrete workshop in Yangfang township in the suburban Changping district on August 12 after police officers received an anonymous tip-off, according to a report from state-owned Xinhua on Monday.
Several members of the gang have been arrested and hooks and nets that were used to capture the animals – which are thought to have been a mixture of stolen pets and strays – were found at the workshop.
The rescued dogs were later sent to a municipal shelter and local animal welfare groups are looking after them. One of the dogs had a microchip which allowed police to trace its owner.
The report said animals at the workshop were divided into “luxury” and “ordinary” dogs – although it was not clear how the gang distinguished between the two types.