Survived - Activists Save Dogs From Slaughter In China - 19th Apr 2011

In China, 500 dogs narrowly escaped being sold for their meat after animal lovers rescued them from a truck transporting them for slaughter.

The dogs were spotted on a motorway outside Beijing by a driver who swerved his car in front of the truck to block its path. He then alerted others via his micro-blog.

Several hundred people surrounded the truck, demanding the dogs' release.

Authorities were powerless to intervene because in China there are no laws against animal cruelty.

After a 15-hour standoff, the rescuers ended up securing the release of the dogs only by buying them from the trucking company. The £10,000 bill was footed by an animal rights charity.

The dogs are now receiving medical attention before being offered for adoption in Beijing.

"More than 90% of them have distemper or parvovirus," said one of the vets treating them. "Some dogs also had other health problems, and were not at all strong. Only the puppies are disease free." Read More