Dog meat row hits HK chain

Dog meat is popular in China in the winter months

A Hong Kong-based supermarket chain is under pressure to stop selling dog meat in its mainland branches.

Animal rights groups are urging ParknShop, owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing, to remove canine meat from its shelves.

ParknShop sells dog meat in its 20 mainland shops during the winter when demand is high, the South China Morning Post quoted an unidentified company spokeswoman as saying.

She did not provide further comment.

Killing and eating dogs is legal in China

Many Chinese eat dog meat in the winter because they believe it keeps them warm and healthy.

Traditionally, the meat from a black dog was the most valued because it was said to drive away evil spirits.

A dog's penis is also regarded as an aphrodisiac.

'Stop sales'

The newspaper report quoted Animals Asia Foundation founder Jill Robinson as saying ParknShop should halt all sales of dog meat in China.

But she added that if the chain refused to close down its dog meat operation, it should allow the animal charity to inspect its supplier's breeding and slaughter facilities.

Although killing and eating dogs is legal in mainland China, the practice was banned in Hong Kong in 1950.

Li Ka-shing has a range of businesses interests, including port operations, property development, telecommunications, retail sales and energy.

He is believed to be Asia's richest man.