Org. wants to ban dog / cat meat in China
Dog meat in Yangshuo, photo by M. Scott Brauer
This story has been popping up in the press here recently, the Chinese Animal Protection Network (CAPN) is lobbying to outlaw dog and cat meat in mainland China.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a very strong argument from them about exactly why dog and cat meat should be banned. They fail to answer why these animals shouldn't be eaten, while pigs and cows can, etc. etc. I know I've beaten down this topic a bit much, but these people are sure going to a lot of effort -- for what reason? -- and I'm still hoping to see a good argument.
This comes at the same time that PETA is making moves to voice their views in China. I should add, I'm completely in favor of the fundamentals -- ethical treatment of animals -- but don't always understand their tactics or philosophical inconsistencies.
Alas, bring on the hate mail...
Labels: animal rights, cat, dog, dog meat, illegal foods
posted by Michael @ 6:59 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
seems to me you are making an assumption that laws are usually philosophically consistent...
Laws in human society are always going to be twisted and corrupted. I remember in Canada once there was a rapist who declined a lawyer from the court, and decided to represent himself. He was allowed to cross examine his own rape victim in front of everyone, and effectively raped the poor woman again.
Laws will never make much sense anymore. We allow violent offenders back out to society so that they can re-offend and kill another innocent person. Apparently we can't execute these violent people because we're too humane. Criminals have rights, victims do not. When you're dead, you have no rights that will matter much to you anyway. Presidents can wage wars on other countries on the whim of "self-defense" and kill countless thousands of innocent people.
Therefore it isn't a surprise to see that animal laws aren't taken very seriously either. People will make up whatever they want with or without any logic.
People who claim that dogs should never be eaten are ultimately close-minded. They have no respect for the cows, chickens, and pigs that are constantly slaughtered in North America. In fact, I wonder how many people would truly enjoy their burgers if they actually saw upfront how the meat is processed from a cow.
Slaughtering a cow is no less grisly than watching a dog get slaughtered for its meat. A cow has way more blood and guts. Is it because a dog is more cute or friendly that people bash dog-eaters? Wow, my condolensces to the cow that "God" created it to look so ugly and not adorable to the North American public.
All life is sacred. People who play favorites are truly disgusting spiritually. "Oh, a fish has no spirit because it's so plentiful and looks uglier than my cat/dog." Poor fish. Why care about the wellbeing of a measly fish when we have dogs at our side right?! Well, at least there's a doggy heaven too, right everyone?
Meat is meat. If you are forced to cannibalize parts of your arm to survive then that's your own damn business. Same goes for people who may have eaten certain meats for centuries. Cultures should not be abolished simply for being different, well, unless it's cannibalism that's a different story. If you're going to eat eachother as a species, that's counterproductive, so I say no to human meat if it's unncessary.
Seriously though, why do people have to play favorites? If people are going to impose to the Chinese to not eat their dogs and whatever, the Chinese should be allowed in return to protest American's cow eating habits. Eating cow is so disgusting after all. It's only because beef tastes good, and the economy is influenced by it, that it is considered morally acceptable by the North American public. That is what is truly disgusting.
And children ask me why wars start...
Sadly this is happening everywhere around the world that has been eating different animals that some of the other country people see it as "barbaric". Most targets are cats and dogs... Not to offend anyone but people has been eating cats and dogs in Europe for quite a while till someone made it illegal... The records are also in text books o_o I believe these kind of foods are cultural things like bull fighting that people see it as so inhumane. We've been eating them for thousands of years yet just because some other countries see it as barbaric, we're throwing away our long-historic culture. It seems very sad to me.
You can't ban consumption of dogs just because its inhuman or something like that!! I mean what difference does it have to consumption of chickens?? I went to an Indonesian traditional market and saw the worst inhumane slaughter of chicken!! They cut out the throat of the chicken alive and put it in a box where the chicken goes jumping, struggling and making weird noises till they die several minutes later of i don't know pain, out of air or something how the hell do you explain that as humane?So are they gonna try banning consumption of chickens and closing down KFCs?? Also abbatoirs in Australia shoots cows and lambs with a fuckin crossbows and the cows will run around till they die. If those orgs try and ban dog consumption they might as well ban all meat consumption since they are all inhuman!!! There is no reason to ban dog consumption just because some cultures don't eat dog meat I mean Hindus don't eat cow but it doesn't mean they could try and make cow consumption illegal does it?
@ pklatg -- I was talking about PETA, not "laws".
However, PETA tries to influence those "laws", so it is all very relevant.
I have a problem with dog meat being consumed in Asia not necessarily because I disagree with companion animals being eaten, but because of the horrific way in which these animals are treated prior to and during slaughter. Though some are raised for their meat, a considerable number are thought to be lost or stolen pets (some with their collars still attached, as I've seen in pictures). They are crammed in tiny cages, given insufficient food, and left out in the heat and cold. When they are killed, they are often hung upside-down, beaten, and have parts of their fur burnt off. It is common belief that causing the dog to suffer prior to its death while increase its adrenaline and make the meat more nutritious. This is all done in front of other dogs who are forced to hear the screams of pain of the dying dog.
You may choose to view this practice as a "cultural difference." I see it as a horrific form of cruelty.
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I agree with Melissa in how it is rather cruel to perform the butchering of the animals in this fashion.
Cultures and traditions gradually evolve throughout time. Perhaps there will eventually be a time in which dog meat is obtained with less pain to the animals.
But in no way should they abolish the eating of dog meat just because others who have dogs as companions think it is wrong.
Well, people in North America continue to breed dogs all willy-nilly despite millions of animals being destroyed every year because there is not enough homes for them. Or they don't have their animal fixed because they feel it's the animal's right to mate as nature intended. It frustrates me to no end how, rather than do anything to PREVENT canine overpopulation, we just kill off surplus like they are worthless, then have the nerve to look down our noses at cultures who slice a steak off instead of just incinerating the bodies.
On the other hand though, most dog meat is farmed, and therefore the opportunity to control the population by eating the surplus s missed. I am inclined to disagree with the common statement that raising dogs for meat is no different than raising cows, pigs, or chickens... but only because dogs are obligate carnivores. People complain about how bad for the environment cows are? Well, think about how many pounds of beef (or whatever animal the dog is fed) go into growing one pound of dog meat. Farming carnivores to be eaten is neither practical nor environmentally sound. But hey, most cultures that do eat dog also use a lot less fossil fuels than westerners, so maybe it all balances out. I really ride the fence on dog meat, as you may have guessed. I couldn't eat it myself, but don't fancy myself to be better than someone who does...
How can they dare things about this? geez! I really hate dogs/cats be beaten or be killed.
Dogs and cats are very friendly to us humans, how can they?! arghhhh!!!!
Yes, because chickens and cows inherently hate humans -_-.
That's obviously why God values dogs more...
Sounds to me like it's all more about convenience than anything really. Cows have a lot more meat to offer than a dogs or cats, and chickens are just stupid birds that can't even fly. Therefore we must logically treat dogs and cats with greater compassion. Go figure.
Good!))) Thank you)
Obet
If you are based in Shanghai, my friend in New Jersey thinks you are interesting and that I should meet you.
And also living in China makes me not want to eat any kind of animal meat. I am recently thinking of it as "flesh" instead of meat and then I lose my appetite.
I think part of the reason eating dogs and cats is viewed as impractical is because generally it takes more energy to fatten up a predator and because predatory animals tend to have higher concentrations of toxins. The higher up the food chain you go,the higher accumulation. I'm sure a biologist could make some good points.
However, as far as I know the dogs/cats are fed cheaply and they don't eat anything tainted. So the above points are moot.
Really, pork is a horrible thing to eat because of how close pigs are to humans physiologically. Obviously, if you cook meat well it's not an issue but eating pork can be a great way to transfer parasites or bacteria.
I could understand banning whale meat, or even some fish because of the mercury levels.
I know some people in the US who gt outraged about dog/cat meat while they eat WAY too much red meat. I don't favor forcing people in the US to be vegetarians but I see way too many people eating 1/8 of a serving of veggies alongside a 16 oz steak. THAT annoys me to no end.
Hi I'm Malaysian...I'm upset to see there are a lot animals slaughtered for food consumption..I've tried my best to encourage people around me to eat less meat..However, everything is not under my control..What I hope is..apply humane way in killing animals, don't make him suffer..just imagine your skins are being torn, your throat is being cut, your body is being tortured until die...it's inhumane..animals must die peacefully if they have to be slaughtered..what can we do?
Hey I'm going to HK and Shanghai for the first time soon, could you send me an email with a few recommendations to camilo.cadena01@gmail.com. My family and I come from a long line of adventurous eaters, we're from Colombia. We greatly appreciate your help.
kthxby! =D
Camilo Ernesto Cadena
I've eaten dog meat and LET ME TELL YOU!! It is damn delicious! My favourite preparation is the "dog finger." They are just like chicken fingers but made with dog meat. Poodle meat is also amazing.
Then they should ban pork and veal in Europa. If they want to be justify.))
I think some cultures view the consumption of dog meat to be a part of their traditional cuisine, while others consider consumption of dog to be inappropriate and offensive
What for?? If I don't eat cats it doesn't mean everybody should not eat cats. If I don't drink pure water, it doesn't mean everybody should not drink pure water. I think it's absolutely stupid to can cats' and dogs' meat!! They are animals, like pigs and cows (which are, besides are very clever, too)
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