Local woman`s message: Stop eating dogs

June 29--VICTORVILLE -- A local firefighter and nonprofit leader is leading the local charge to stop dogs from being tortured and consumed halfway around the globe.

Diley Greiser told the Daily Press she took action after discovering that some restaurant owners in China were butchering dogs for the annual Yulin Meat Festival, a 10-day event where some 10,000 dogs are tortured, killed and eaten.

"They actually torture the dogs before killing them because they believe it brings out the flavor of the meat," said Greiser, a firefighter/paramedic with Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department and the founder of Rena's Dress Boutique. "It's a barbaric practice and it must stop."

A tradition that dates back before recorded history, dogs are eaten in many parts of Asia and other regions of the world. But the Yulin festival is a relatively new event, beginning only in recent years and celebrated during the summer solstice.

To cool off during the hot summer months, people gather at the Lychee and Dog Meat Festival in Yulin where they eat dog meat hotpot, lychee fruits and drink liquor.

Greiser said many in the dog trade believe high adrenaline levels produce tender meat and increase the health benefits, which is the reason dogs are tortured prior to being killed.

A dog lover who also helps local animal rescue groups like Beagles and Buddies, Greiser said she reached out to Marc Ching of the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation to see how she could help "stop the inhumane treatment of dogs in China."

Animal Hope is a nonprofit group focused solely on rescuing abused dogs and dogs from the meat trade throughout Asia with the focus of rescue, full rehabilitation and placement of the animals.

After speaking with Ching, Greiser began a social media awareness campaign to inform people about the animal abuse and Animal Hope's work in Asia. She also began raising funds to help the rescue group based in Los Angeles.

"Over 30 students from the Victor Valley High School Key Club who help out at local shelters decided they wanted to join me in the campaign," said Grieiser, who lives in Victorville. "The more people that know about this horror and take action the better."

Greiser and her group is asking the online community to post photos of themselves and their dogs, with a sign that reads #stopyulin2016. They hope that the international community will take notice when they see the photos posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms. The group recently conducted a yard sale to help raise funds for Animal Hope.

Key Club Social Media Director Berenice Anguano, 15, said she was "beyond shocked" and driven to tears when she saw online photos of dozens of dogs in China being slaughtered.

"Animal cruelty is something that needs to stop," Anguano said. "Animals need to be protected and cared for. Dogs are faithful and loving and companions to so many people."

Celebrities such as Matt Damon, Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix have condemned the festival and its practices, and have helped produce a PSA video for Animal Hope.

Proponents of the practice say the of eating canines in Asia is based on cultural traditions that are centuries old and should be respected as a cultural norm.

Greiser said Ching has traveled back to China to rescue dogs by paying the restaurant owners at the festival to close their shops. He's also working on relocating rescued dogs

The Humane Society International recently presented a petition containing 11 million signatures to the Chinese embassy in London, demanding the festival be halted.

"The festival may be ending soon, but the torture continues," Greiser said. "I urge people to post photos of them with their dogs and let's send the message that animal cruelty is wrong."

To sign the "Relocate pet care product manufacturing away from China" petition, visit www.change.org.

For more information on the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, visit www.animalhopeandwellness.org or call 323-238-3849. Readers should use extreme caution when viewing any site or video pertaining to animal cruelty.

Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

Copyright 2016 - Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.