Due to the crisis caused by the coronavirus in China, many companion animals are being affected by causes related to the virus. In Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, many pets are being mercilessly killed or killed by Chinese authorities.

This is because many of the pets were abandoned, after their owners fled the community affected by the coronavirus.

Now the abandoned dogs and cats are dying for lack of food, since they were left alone in the houses and apartments of their owners.

Abandoned animals are killed or die from lack of food

Wendy Higgins, director of international media for the Humane Society International, told CNN :

“We know that many cats and dogs have been left behind in apartments in Wuhan, particularly when residents were evacuated, but also in other areas such as Beijing, Dalian, Xi’an.”

Without a doubt, the main risk that abandoned animals run is dying of hunger, since they do not have a source of food.

Most of the residents who abandoned their pets, left them with supplies for a few days, but due to the crisis, they have not been able to return to their homes. Exact numbers for the number of pets that may be in danger are not yet known, but the number is believed to be increasing every day.

Wendy said:

“Estimates are impossible, but we know that in Wuhan, for example, animal activists have helped with animals in more than 1,000 apartments. Therefore, the numbers across the country will be significant.

Some companion animals have been rescued by animal welfare activists, but others have not had the same fate.

Vshine Animal Protection Association , is an organization dedicated to animal welfare that works hand in hand with Humane Society International . According to the organization, the estimate of the number of dogs and cats that may remain in the residents’ residences is alarming.

Deng Fang, Chief of Staff of the Vshine Animal Protection Association, said:

“Things can get worse if the epidemic continues out of control.”

In addition to the abandonment, there is another danger for the animals, as they are being killed by officials to try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. This, due to the fear that a Chinese health expert generated, after affirming that the animals should be quarantined.

Also, in February, the Hong Kong Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (AFCD) said that  a dog had tested weak positive for coronavirus.

Information that caused Chinese pet owners and officials to panic and take extreme measures in the face of the situation.

In recent days, a news item was released regarding an extreme measure taken against abandoned companion animals. The administration of a Chinese community, offered a monetary reward to the residents, for killing stray dogs and cats.

The announcement was issued by the Wanjiang community in Dongguan, Guangzhou province, southern China, aimed at local residents.

According to the administration, the order was taken after some residents complained about pet owners violating the rules. The officials denied that they were encouraging the killing of pets, saying that in this way they are promoting the care of pets according to the rules.

Although the ad also says various regulations regarding animals, it was harshly criticized for the stance on stray animals.

The notice was removed after sparking outrage among local residents and animal protection activists.

A spokesperson for the Wanjiang community, surnamed Long, said the notice is being rewritten because its content was inappropriate.

“We wanted to regulate the keeping of pets. We are not encouraging to kill them.

Many entities are working to try to reduce panic, as pets have not been shown to spread the coronavirus in humans.

The World Health Organization has said that there is not yet enough evidence to determine that pets can transmit the virus.

CNN reported last week that pets can contract other known coronaviruses, but they have not been shown to spread in humans.

“Currently, the AFCD has no evidence that companion animals can become infected with the COVID-19 virus or that they can be a source of infection for people.”

The Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued a similar reminder on Facebook.

“Members of the public are advised to differentiate that ‘being infected’ is not equivalent to being infectious and capable of spreading the Covid-19 virus.”

Despite all clarifications, incidents of violence towards companion animals in China continue to rise steadily. According to activists, in different parts of China, government officials continue to kill dogs and cats, to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Suichang authorities, according to Reuters , ordered its residents to keep their pets at home, otherwise they will be exterminated.

Without a doubt, a crisis that not only affects humans, but also affects the welfare of companion animals.