Dog lovers discharge the dogs from the cages at the temple in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, June 4, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

1,381 dogs saved by dog lovers

A total of 1,381 dogs set for slaughter at a dog market in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were saved by 11 volunteers, CRI reported on Sunday.

Liang Yedong, the leader of the volunteers, said although there have been no more direct conflicts between dog dealers and dog lovers, the mass slaughter continues to grow, which led them to save the dogs by buying them.

According to Liang, the group has been to Yulin several times for a "rescue operation" and has spent at least 50 million yuan ($8.06 million), including transportation expenses.

The saved dogs have been placed in a temple in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, where the more than 400 dogs sent there are carefully nursed.

Yu Pingan, a dog lover who has recruited nearly 20 veterinarians to help care for dogs at the temple, said most of the animals couldn't stand up since the dog cages were too short, meaning the dogs could only lie down in them.

Yu also said it may take a while to know how many dogs will survive since some of them might be carrying germs and there are also sick dogs that need separate therapies.

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