Horrors of China's meat trade: 500 dogs stuffed into lorry in appalling conditions before being served up in restaurants

Activists tried to stop the vehicle, but were beaten back by thugs

Many had already died due to barbaric treatment and searing heat

Stuffed into a lorry so tightly they can barely breathe, these desperate animals are the latest victims of China's sickening trade in dog meat.

More than 20 animal rights activists stopped the vehicle, which was carrying 500 dogs at a service station on the Jingha Highway in an effort to save them.

Due to their horrific treatment and the hot weather, a number of the dogs had already died while others were seriously ill.

Miserable existence: Around 500 dogs are stuffed into this lorry in the most appalling conditions on their way to be slaughtered before being served up in restaurants

Dead and dying: Several dogs had already passed away when activists arrived due to the cramped conditions and searing heat

But despite their best efforts, the campaigners were unable to stop the lorry from leaving after being attacked by a group of thugs.

The dogs were most likely driven to restaurants around the country, where they will be served up to diners.

One activist said: 'We feel very powerless. God please save the dogs.'

It is the latest incident where animal campaigners have tried to intervene to save dogs in recent months.

Desperate bid: Campaigners tried to stop the lorry after intercepting it at a service station, but were beaten back by thugs

Brutal: The trade in dog meat is an all-too-common occurrence. Animals are taken to huge markets where they are bludgeoned to near-death before being handed to the purchaser

One group was more successful earlier this year when a truck carrying 505 canines packed into just 156 tiny cages, was stopped on Yunnan Province's highway from Fumin to Kunming after other drivers spotted its sickening cargo.

Protesters posted pictures and comments about the load on the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, Weibo, prompting the police to stop the lorry at the next toll gate.

The trade and transportation of animals in China has come in for criticism by campaigners in the West.

Health risk: Some of the huge markets which sell dogs and cats to restaurants for human consumption came under the spotlight several years ago after being the suspected origin of the deadly SARS virus

Horrific treatment: Some of these animals were packed so tightly they barely had space to breathe

Some of the huge markets which sell dogs and cats to restaurants for slaughter and human consumption came under international spotlight several years ago after being the suspected origin of the deadly SARS virus.

In one of the large markets, on a 60-acre site in Guangzhou, China, cages of dogs and cats - some of them bred as domestic pets - are piled high.

When an animal is chosen for sale it is bludgeoned with an iron bar until it is close to death before, being handed over to the purchaser.

Barbaric: The trade and transportation of animals in China has come in for criticism by campaigners in the West due to the health risks involved



