The Yulin dog meat festival in China has kicked off and had a low-key opening as there have been many protests from animal rights activists and residents asking the government to pass new measures about the matter.

The event is an annual happening in the southern China city and it features the consumption of thousands of dog's meat. Around 10,000 dogs are said to be slaughtered this year. Animal rights activists earlier this month has forwarded a petition to Beijing authorities including 11 million signatures protesting against the festival. The dog meat festival has been regarded as cruel.

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According to NBC News, some of the dogs that were supposed to be killed for the annual event were bought by the human rights activists in an attempt to save them. One animal rights activist named Yang Yuhua flew from Chongqing to Yubin in order to buy the dogs. He said, "Dogs are man's best, the most loyal friend. How could we eat our friends? You tell me." Yang had to spend $150 to buy two caged dogs at the market of Yubin.

Although some dogs have been bought, a dog vendor said that he hopes for a good business during the annual festival. He added that there are a lot of people who lie eating dog meat and it has become a habit for others.

Dogs are sold openly in the market but dog meat is not being served in restaurants. A resident named only as Min said about the low key opening of the festival this year, "Why won't they (let us openly celebrate the festival)? The city government came out and told (the vendors) not to let restaurant owners sell (dog meat). The city government is always (handling this issue) this way."

The local government of Yulin said that they do not back the festival and it was funded by private businesses and people who support the dog meat festival.

The ten-day festival started on June 21. The annual festival has been held for a decade now.

International stars such as Simon Cowell and Matt Damon have voiced their opinion via Twitter regarding this matter. 

Tagschina, Dog Meat Festival, Dogs, dog meat, annual event, ten days, opening, Yulin