To Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping, the Governor of Guangxi Province Mr. Chen Wu, and members of the Chinese Central Government:

"As citizens across the globe deeply disturbed by the abuse and consumption of dogs at the Yulin festival, we strongly urge you to ban it immediately. Millions of Chinese citizens support legislation to stop the dog meat industry, and we join their call to end this cruel trade."

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For the Yulin dog meat festival, some dogs are stolen from their owners and beaten or bled to death. Then they’re hung upside down from hooks, a slit cut from their anus and skin ripped off their bodies, and sold to be eaten.

The suffering must be unbearable -- new research shows that in terms of emotion, dogs' brains are much like ours, something dog owners and lovers understand well. When we see dogs for what they are -- living beings with thoughts and feelings -- the torture they endure at this 'festival' becomes inexcusable.

Thousands of Chinese activists and millions of Avaazers have spoken out against the festival, and Yulin authorities recently pledged to “take immediate actions to prevent it from happening again”. This could be a massive step forward -- let’s keep up the pressure to make that pledge a reality, and get this puppy slaughter stopped for good!

As the petition grows, Avaaz will take out ads, work with influential celebrities, and put this issue on front pages everywhere until Chinese authorities act. Add your name and tell everyone.