By Jack Newman For Mailonline

Published: 04:06 EDT, 26 May 2022 | Updated: 04:22 EDT, 26 May 2022

A chained-up dog has been rescued from a butchers in China by animal activists just moments before its slaughter.

Lucky was due to be killed that evening when rescuers stormed the dog and cat meat shop in Yulin and persuaded the chained-up animal to be freed, just weeks before the city's annual dog meat festival.

The Akita was the final animal of the day due to be slaughtered and it showed signs of having previously been someone's pet, suggesting it had been stolen.

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A dog has been rescued from a butchers in China by animal activists just hours before its slaughter for an annual dog meat festival

During its rescue, dog and cat carcasses are seen hanging nearby showing Lucky's likely fate if the activists did not intervene

Lucky was taken into a veterinary shelter supported by Humane Society International who take in dogs rescued from the Chinese meat trade

During its rescue, dog and cat carcasses are seen hanging nearby showing Lucky's likely fate if the activists did not intervene. 

Lucky was taken into a veterinary shelter supported by Humane Society International who take in dogs rescued from the Chinese meat trade.

In Yulin, a summer solstice dog meat festival is held every year despite protests from animal activists. 

Launched in 2010 by dog meat traders to boost sales, the event starts on June 21 attracts thousands of visitors from across the province who gather to eat dog meat stew and crispy dog meat at the city's restaurants and stalls. 

Activists are appealing to local authorities to stop the mass public gathering from going ahead, to protect public health and animal welfare.

Footage taken by the charity also shows the horrific inhumane conditions where dogs are caged prior to being slaughtered

Lucky was seen smiling after it was taken to an animal shelter following the rescue from the dog market

In Yulin, a summer solstice dog meat festival is held every year despite protests from animal activists

Footage taken by the charity also shows the horrific inhumane conditions where dogs are caged prior to being slaughtered.

The animals are forced to stay in squalid rooms behind bars before they are routinely killed for the meat trade. 

Liang Jia, a Guangxi activist, said: 'The streets of Yulin are relatively quiet right now, and although you can see a few dog meat shops, stalls and dog slaughterhouses like normal, it's nothing compared to how it will look in mid-June. 

'While elsewhere in China, cities are in COVID-19 lockdown, it makes no sense for Yulin dog meat traders to be allowed to encourage visitors to travel across the province and into the city. 

'As well as the appalling animal cruelty that will take place with thousands of dogs and cats bludgeoned to death, it's an obvious public health risk. 

Lucky was found chained up at the butchers in Yulin province before it was raided by rescuers

The animals are forced to stay in squalid rooms behind bars before they are routinely killed for the meat trade

Liang Jia, a Guangxi activist, said the Yulin dog meat festival should be cancelled not only for the dogs' welfare but also for Covid concerns

'The Yulin authorities should be taking this seriously because it would be hugely embarrassing for the Yulin dog meat festival to become a super-spreader event.'

Most people in China don't eat dogs, and even in Yulin, polls show most citizens don't regularly eat dog despite efforts by dog meat traders to promote it. 

Opposition to the dog trade is growing in China, and in 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs made an official statement that dogs are companion animals and not 'livestock' for eating. 

That same year, two major cities in mainland China – Shenzhen and Zhuhai – banned the consumption of dog and cat meat, a decision polling showed was supported by nearly 75 per cent of Chinese citizens.

Most people in China don't eat dogs, and even in Yulin, polls show most citizens don't regularly eat dog despite efforts by dog meat traders to promote it

Opposition to the dog trade is growing in China despite regular festivals to promote the meat

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs made an official statement that dogs are companion animals and not 'livestock' for eating

Two major cities in mainland China – Shenzhen and Zhuhai – banned the consumption of dog and cat meat

Nearly 75 per cent of Chinese citizens supported banning the eating of dog meat in Shenzhen and Zhuhai

Dr Peter Li, China policy specialist for Humane Society International which supports the care of dogs rescued from China's meat trade, said: 'Lucky had a narrow escape because only one blowtorched dog carcass was left on sale at the shop, meaning he would have been next. 

'But Lucky is just one of millions of dogs who suffer at the hands of dog traders across China, and one of thousands who end up in Yulin for the summer solstice event. 

'His rescuers say he was super friendly, used to walking on a leash and happily jumped into the back of the activists' car without hesitation, so it seems clear that he was once someone's pet, and indeed many of the dogs killed for meat are pets stolen from back yards, outside shops and even from cars. 

'COVID-19 precautions add another compelling reason to crack down on dog trade gatherings like this, in addition to the brutal cruelty and criminal activity.'

Absolutely disgusting that this is still happening...

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