A second Chinese city has banned eating dogs and cats in the latest coronavirus clampdown – sparking fresh hopes that Asia’s brutal "wet markets" could be stamped out for good.
The ban in Zhuhai follows a new law against dog meat in Shenzhen earlier this month. The Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan – believed by many to be the epicentre of the virus’ spread – was shut down in January after a cluster of patients came down with mystery pneumonia there.
Vendors sold a raft of animals including chickens, badgers, dogs, bamboo rats, hedgehogs, and snakes – often slaughtered in front of customers.
Many researchers believe bats were the original host of the virus and may have infected other animals sold at the market including dogs.