Up to 22 dogs were rescued from a slaughterhouse by animal rights activists after three restaurants were found be serving customers dog meat soup. One brazenly offered up dog meat in a window advert while also listing it in different items on its menu. The animals, including a poodle and a French bulldog, are suspected to have been stolen pets, the Humane Society International said.

A sign in one of the restaurants said meat had been supplied by slaughterhouses in Xuzhou city in Jiangsu.

Horrifically, when activists went there they discovered 22 dogs cowering in horrendous conditions after seeing their fellow animals bludgeoned to death.

Discarded collars was taken as evidence the dogs had been stolen and after animal rights campaigners negotiated, the terrified pets were released and saved from slaughter.

The activists said the dogs “were clearly terrified, but they all responded to human kindness and sought our comfort”.

This was also taken as a sign they had once been pets.

Freed dogs were taken to an animal shelter in Northern China.

Others were shipped to new homes in the US.

The shocking news comes as Shanghai announced it will host the dog show, which is being advertised as a “joyful gathering for dog lovers and lovely dogs across the world” on the event’s website.

It also said the show has returned to Asia after 37 years.

Activist Dr Peter Li said: “This investigation exposes the horrifying way that millions of China’s dogs are abused for the meat trade while others are pampered for the pet trade.

“The slaughter operation where the 22 terrified dogs were rescued could easily have supplied the Shanghai restaurant that claimed to get its dog meat from Xuzhou.

“Most of the rescued dogs are small, lap-dog breeds typical of pets in China, and the activists found a pile of collars in the corner of the slaughterhouse, so there is every likelihood that these dogs were stolen pets.

“It’s a double standard that enrages many dog lovers throughout China, who are frustrated at how this illegal trade is allowed to continue.

“Most people in China don’t eat dogs, and the World Dog Show is a prime example of a growing, younger, and more affluent Chinese population who love their canine companions and despise the dog thieves who steal their friends for the meat trade.

“It also demonstrates the huge economic benefit to China of this booming pet care industry, versus a dog meat trade that acts as a stain on China’s reputation.”

He added: “We urge China to act to end its brutal dog meat trade.”

Meanwhile, the hated Yulin Dog Meat Festival will take place for the 11th year in a row later this year.

The notoriously brutal event will take place in China.

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