Animal rights activists are converging on the Chinese city of Jinhua to ensure that a festival Tuesday celebrating the eating of dogs does not proceed as scheduled.

The city, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, canceled the 600-year-old festival in September after local officials were shamed by an Internet campaign begun by animal rights advocates.

Gruesome pictures of live dogs, with feet and muzzles bound with wire, and others freshly butchered or cooked, circulated on Chinese blogs, creating public pressure against the festival.

Opponents of dog-eating say the practice makes no sense in a society that no longer suffers from chronic malnutrition. Supporters say consuming dog meat is a part of Chinese culture.