At this point in time, we've all probably heard and in fact, grown a strong sense of loathing for Chinese wet markets, notoriously infamous for selling bats, pangolins and  a lot of other animals as livestock. However, in a recent turn of events, China has decided to stop slaughtering millions of dogs for meat.

China reclassifies dogs as pets, not livestock, in post-virus regulatory push https://t.co/gquUfstNem pic.twitter.com/oB84yUanY2

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 9, 2020

Dog meat has infamously been a delicacy in China, however, earlier this month, the Chinese city of Schenzen had banned dog meat. In fact, the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of China has rejigged the guidelines for 18 animals that were earlier classified as livestock including cattle, pigs, poultry and camels.

“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,” the notice said.

© Reuters

Moreover, 13 more animals have also been identified as special species which exempts them from being involved in wild animal trading, including reindeer, alpaca, pheasants, ostriches and foxes. Following the coronavirus outbreak that is supposed to have originated from horseshoe bats, China had banned the breeding, trading and consumption of wildlife, and revoked all existing licenses. In fact, it has also promised to look into it and make the ban permanent after the pandemic is over.

10 million dogs are killed in a year in China for meat and this also includes stolen pets. Needless to say, everyone from across the world has hailed the move, while some just couldn't miss the opportunity to take digs at China for being so late in alleviating such regressive norms.

Welcome to the 21st century.

— ChrisIn303 (@ChrisIn303) April 9, 2020  

Much needed first step, indeed

First step

— eggbot (@eggbotme) April 9, 2020

It's a start!

— the riddler (@TRiddler85) April 9, 2020

Thank goodness...

— T. Hamilton (@thamilton007) April 9, 2020

too little too late but very good for those dogs

— shirley (@shirleymarriot1) April 9, 2020

However, some people had more pressing questions at hand

What about bats???

— T. Hamilton (@thamilton007) April 9, 2020

CATS???????

— mediumsizedoneatahugeworld (@mediumsizedone) April 9, 2020

Will the Chinese govt ban the dog meat festival?

— Sleep_sleeð· (@slee_sleep) April 9, 2020

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