China declares dogs as pets, removes them from livestock list

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in a notice published on Wednesday moved towards a full ban on eating dogs by stating that they should not be regarded as livestock for human consumption.

“As far as dogs are concerned, along with the progress of human civilization and the public concern and love for animal protection, dogs have been ‘specialized’ to become companion animals and internationally are not considered to be livestock, and they will not be regulated as livestock in China,” it said.

China subsequently banned the breeding, trading and consumption of wildlife and revoked all existing licenses. It has also promised to revise legislation to make the ban permanent.

The draft guidelines published Wednesday, which have been opened to the public for consultation, listed 18 traditional livestock species — including cattle, pigs, poultry and camels.