Chinese animal lovers release rescued dogs that were supposed to be sold as meat in 2011.

He kills dogs by firing a poisoned dart from a crossbow.

But a dog meat vendor in Hunan province died while demonstrating how to use it to members of his operation - after accidentally shooting himself with the same thing, the South China Morning Post reported.

The incident reportedly happened in June 2013.

The vendor was hit in the leg and died on his way to hospital.

Over 1,000 dogs killed

Chinese media updates said five other members of the group were later arrested.

They had confessed to killing more than 1,000 pooches as part of the operation and froze the carcasses so the meat can be sold later.

The meat is popular in Hunan and in cities in Zhejiang , Guangxi and Guangdong provinces.

Some Chinese believe eating dog meat will dispel evil ghosts and ward off disease. It is widely believed the meat can boost a man's sexual performance.

But aficionados face pressure from China's animal rights groups, who have been campaigning to end dog meat festivals.

Sources: South China Morning Post, AFP