Local dog-meat eaters engaged them in a lively debate, as dozens of passers-by listened in. The activists proclaimed that dogs are friends of humans, and that eating dog meat can be unhealthy.

Dog eaters, however, said it's their right to eat the meat, the same as anyone who eats pork or beef. Dealers complained that the "extreme behavior" of the outsiders has hurt business.

"My grandfather, my father and I all sell dog meat. I could sell dozens of dogs a day last year during this time, but I only sold a few this year," said 55-year-old Zhou Jian, one of the retailers.

"We almost have no dogs to kill and sell because of those people's extreme behavior," said a female butcher who declined to give her name.

"The government has prevented trucks carrying dogs from entering Yulin because of pressure from them," she said. "We have no choice but to collect dogs from rural areas."

She said her business volume is off 50 percent from last year.

According to media reports, the Yulin government has asked retailers and restaurants to stop killing dogs in public. It also asked public servants to refrain from eating dog meat.

Questions:

1. When is the Dog Meat Festival scheduled to take place?

Answer: Saturday, June 21

2. How old is Zhou Jian, one of the dog meat retailers?

Answer: 55 years old

3. Where is the Dog Meat Festival held?

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