Horrifying moment dog is dragged howling into bubbling cooking pot and BOILED ALIVE by three men at Chinese market
Once in the pot, it takes two men to hold down the lid until the animal is dead
THIS is the horrifying moment a greyhound is dragged into a bubbling cauldron and BOILED ALIVE by three men at a Chinese market.
One little boy watches on in horror as the dog is lowered into the water, while other onlookers laugh.
The dog, writhing in terror, howls and makes futile attempts to escape.
Once in the pot, it takes two men to hold down the lid until the animal is dead.
Footage of the incident recorded in Shijiazhuang, north China, was highlighted by animal rights group to pressure the Chinese government into introducing anti-cruelty laws.
Animal rights campaigner Michele Brown said: "This animal died the worst death imaginable.
"You can see raw fear in the dog's eyes as it's carried towards the boiling water.
"As they drop the dog into the water it screams for help, skin burning and blistering. It flails around so much, two strong men have to hold on to the lid.
"The young boy is an innocent child and he appears to be repulsed by what he saw.
"He was scared but unfortunately this probably won't be the last time he will see a dog being boiled alive."
The footage was discovered by the charity on a Chinese website last month, but it is unknown who recorded it or when it was filmed.
At least 10 million dogs - many of which are stolen family pets - are killed for their meat every year in China, according to campaigners.
However, the trail of cruelty can be traced back to the UK according to one activist.
Rita James, from pressure group Caged NW, said: "The evidence shows Irish greyhounds are ending up there and we believe without the right legislation British dogs could also be sent.
"There is currently no protection for greyhounds that are bred for the racing industry, and no traceability for dogs that are no longer registered to race, or do not make the grade.
"This means they can go off the radar to be destroyed in the most horrific ways."
In Shijiazhuang, many of the dogs slaughtered to be eaten are raised in cages and pens on industrial scale farms.
Animal rights campaigners also believe a large number are stolen pets sold on the black market - some with collars still attached.
In China, dog meat is a delicacy and tougher meat is considered tastier.
Consequently, traders deliberately kill animals in the most torturous ways to fill their bodies with adrenaline.
Dogs are slaughtered by being boiled alive, skinned alive, or bludgeoned to death.
Sometimes they are tied down or have their leg tendons slashed to prevent them from escaping.
Michele added: "They say pain at death makes the meat better quality and tougher. It is also seen as a boost to the male libido.
"I have had it said to my face 'when men eat tough meat, it makes them tough'."
Dogs are eaten across Asia, particularly in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and South Korea.