Thousands of dogs are being shipped in and slaughtered by dog traders to mark China's summer solstice, which will then be eaten and washed down with lycee wine.  

Harrowing pictures have emerged of the stolen family pets and other waifs and strays, stuffed inside cramped metal cages as they are lined up to be sold at the cruel carnival. 

Dogs can be heard yelping as animal rights' campaigners surreptitiously film the dog markets, keeping the camera hidden from view for fear of angering locals.

And photographs, taken by members of Humane Society International (HSI) capturing brutal slaughterhouse scenes in the city, clearly show the trade in dog meat is already well underway.

Distraught campaigners and outraged locals have been going there to buy pups and save them from certain death.

Hundreds of animals have been rescued and purchased from dog meat traders, but thousands are expected to be killed and their meat consumed for the festival, which authorities have tried to deny is still happening, charities say.

'We've seen all manner of dog breeds coming in to the rescue shelters, some of them obviously someone's pet because they still have their collars on with their names,' said Adam Parascandola, from the HSI. 

'We know that these are only a small number compared to the thousands who have already suffered and died, but every life saved is precious.'

He said there was a 'real divide' in Yulin between the older generation dog meat traders and the younger generation Chinese animal traders who want it to stop. 

He said: 'We've also seen just ordinary Chinese citizens who have no connection at all to animal rights but have seen the news and felt compelled to come down and help these animals. 

'It's inspiring actually, and a real sign of hope for a future China without this horrific dog and cat meat trade.

Many of the animals die on the long truck journeys from across China with others suffering such horrendous injuries that they cannot stand in the filthy pens they are transferred to.

Those who do survive are clubbed over the head and have their throats cut open before they are thrown into boiling water. The butcher then plucks all the hair, removes all the organs and puts the dog on the grill.

Up to 10 million dogs are believed to be killed for their meat in China every year, with as many as 10,000 killed for the Yulin festival alone. 

The festival itself has no cultural significance, it was invented by dog meat traders in 2010 as a way to boost their flagging business. 

Although dog meat can be found in China today, it is not widely eaten by the average Chinese person and is not part of mainstream culinary practice. 

Xing Hai, a Chinese activist working with HSI, said: 'I'm ashamed that around the world China has become famous for its animal cruelty, and Yulin in particular, and I want people to know that there are thousands of us here in China who are sickened by this cruelty too. 

'This is not the China that we want, the old ways of treating animals have to end, Yulin is just the start.' 

(dailymail.co.uk)