Hundreds of protestors gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in London on Friday to oppose the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
Demonstrators stood on the pavement outside the embassy from 2pm, holding banners and chanting slogans, while motorists tooted their horns in support.
Up to 10 million dogs are believed to be killed for their meat in China every year and some 10,000 canines and cats, many of whom are reportedly stolen pets still wearing their collars, are killed for the festival.
Millions of people from across the world, including Ricky Gervais and Simon Cowell, signed the petition calling on the Chinese government to stop the festival this year, but it went ahead anyway.
On Monday shocking scenes of dogs cramped in cages and aggressive handling of the terrified animals emerged.
Puppies in cages at the live dog market in Yulin
There is now growing pressure on the Chinese government to stop the festival, which has been running since 2010, from taking place next year.
One of the organiser's of the London demonstration, Dominic Dyer, told the crowd he felt "horrified", along with millions of other people around the world by the dog meat festival.
He said: "It's a horrible, horrible business, and we are here to make our voices heard."
The Huffington Post UK approached the Chinese Embassy for comment but did not receive a response.
Similar protests were held outside Chinese Embassies across the world on Friday, with dozens gathering outside the buildings in Dublin and New York.
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