In fact, the festival only dates back to 2009 when it was launched in the city in China's southwest to celebrate the summer solstice.
The consumption of dog meat does have historical precedence in China.
At its height during the Han Dynasty (202 - 220 AD), dog meat was considered a delicacy.
Yet, dog eating soon lost favor and by the Sui-Tang dynasties (581 -- 907 AD), dog eating had been rejected as an indecent habit.