WARNING - DISTRESSING CONTENT: Animal rights activists have stopped hundreds of doomed dogs from being sent to a notorious Chinese dog meat festival.

Mark Ching and his group 'Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation' have intercepted dozens of cages packed with dogs that were bound for the festival in Yulin China.

Found crammed into tiny cages, the somber looking dogs were motionless as their rescuers removed them from the truck in preparation for release.

Despite constant protests, the notorious dog meat festival opened on Wednesday, dispelling rumours that authorities would ban sales this year.

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Rescuers remove the trapped dogs from the truck. Source: Yahoo

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Stacked on top of each other, various breeds of dogs were set to be killed for the notorious Chinese dog meat festival. Source: Yahoo

After earlier reports of a sales ban at the summer solstice event, animal rights groups said vendors and officials reached a compromise and set a limit of two dogs on display per stall.

But multiple carcasses were seen to be rested on several stalls at two markets. Residents said dog meat was just 'part of their tradition'.

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Despite constant protests, the notorious dog meat festival opened on Wednesday. Source: Reuters

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