PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Jul 19 2015 – Chinese restaurant owners fear that untold damage has been done to their businesses in the aftermath of a video showing Chinese nationals skinning a dog and Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan’s statements allegedly equating the reduction of the stray dog population to dog meat being served up to diners at Chinese restaurants.
Sales have plummeted by as much as 80 percent at some Chinese food establishments.
The owners fear if this disturbing trend continues they may be forced to close their businesses because they will be unable to pay the rent and staff wages with dwindling customers.
The situation has become so dire that two emergency meetings to address the matter were held by the members of the China Society, the umbrella organisation for the various Chinese associations and groups, at the Chinese Association headquarters at St Ann’s on Tuesday and a business place in St Clair, on Thursday.
The fallout has been felt in Chinese restaurants nationwide, and not only in the western peninsula where the video originated.
Affected business owners came from as far as San Fernando to relate their experiences.
Johnny Chow, a member of the China Chamber of Commerce, said depending on the districts, several owners reported a drastic decline in sales ranging from 50 percent to as much as 80 percent.
He said some restaurant owners had no choice but to dump their perishables or sell their unused chicken, beef and pork at below cost price.
Chow said this could cause a domino effect in the local economy affecting local suppliers to Chinese restaurants.
A recent video posted to social media shows what appears to be Chinese nationals skinning a dog near a food establishment in Diego Martin. (Trinidad Guardian)
