Thaindian News

Beijing, April 18 (IANS) More than 400 dogs, including golden retrievers, on their way to be served as meat in restaurants in northeast China were saved after animal rights activists staged a 15-hour blockade.

The 430 golden retrievers and huskies, many of them stolen from families, were rescued by more than 200 activists who staged a 15-hour blockade at a toll station in Tongzhou.

The people swamped the checkpoint demanding the release of the animals that were being transported from Henan province to restaurants in Changchun in Jilin province, China Daily reported.

The dogs had been trapped in a truck for two days with no food or water, said Wang Qi of the China Small Animal Protection Association.

At least 10 dogs had already died, while nearly 100 showed symptoms of dehydration and infectious diseases. They still had bells and name-tags around their necks.

“It’s clear that people in Henan have been stealing pets and selling them to restaurants,” said Wang

The truck driver said his logistics company dispatches a truck full of dogs every eight days.

An animal lover - who calls himself An - wrote an appeal on the internet asking netizens for help. He said he and his many friends had stopped a truck loaded with dogs at the toll station.

By Friday evening, scores of people arrived at the spot. Several police officers also came. After 15 hours of negotiation, the logistics company agreed to sell the dogs for 11,500 yuan.

The animals that were healthy enough were transferred to association’s base in Haidian district, where they will be available for adoption. The rest went to animal hospitals.

“We don’t have the ability to save all abused small animals in China. I hope the authorities can draft an animal protection law to protect this vulnerable group,” said Wang.

China only has a Wild Animal Protection Law and nothing to protect pets and common animals, according to officials.