China might jail people who eat dogs, cats

Which is a controversial proposal because, in some regions, eating dog meat is just part of the culture. There's a growing anti-cruelty movement in China, though, and they oppose how the animals are killed. In some places, the dogs are beaten to death because that puts more blood into the meat, Reuters reports. Some officials hope the ban would help improve China's image overseas.

WARNING: The photo after the jump is work safe, but it does show a puppy about to be slaughtered. (A reader confirms -- the puppy is dead. Thanks, Ein!)

Comments

[Elrond of Rivendell]

Wok the dog?

[Johns]

Tom K?

[Jane]

I’m more concerned with China’s treatment of human political dissidents than their treatment of animals. But nice try China.

[JUNGLE JIM]

The difference between cats and dogs? One tastes like chicken and the other is an adorable kitten.

And I am NOT clicking that link! Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent.

[D-man]

Korea was kind of on the fence as far as dog meat goes when I was there. It was at some restaurants, but you just didn't hear about it. I would compare it to the availability of typically wild game animals at American restaurants, as in you sort of have to go out of your way to find it or know someone who prepares it.

[Pat the......]

Puppies are more tender you know.

[cripjak]

Alas, poor Lassie and Morris, we knew them well.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Dead puppies aren't much fun.

Americans don't eat dogs, cats, horses, seals, whales, insects, snakes. Anyone who does should be killed, roasted and eaten.

Who cares? How arrogant to think ONLY WE can define cuisine for the rest of the world.

Someone should take some haggis or Finnan Haddie and force every American to eat.

[D-man]

I've eaten rattlesnake.

[Jane]

I ate snake once in Texas. It tasted like chewy fried shrimp.

[Elrond of Rivendell]

I liked haggis.

I agree with Keith. What is suitable meat to be consumed?

Pork chicken, beef, but not monkey, snake, dog, etc.

Why?

Sez who?

[Kate]

If it is intelligence that separates us from the animals, then perhaps we should embrace cannibalism –as long as the meal has a certain IQ.

[Ein]

Not trying to give TMI, but ...

I'm hoping that when you say that photo is of a puppy about to be slaughtered, you actually mean that it's already dead but about to be butchered. Because the caption says they're removing its fur, and its eyes are closed.

[Nemesis]

Keith, I agree also...Who cares? People have mentally stopped equating too many animal species to be part of the food chain. If eating a dog will keep a family from starving, so be it. In some Asian countries it is a given, because they are so poor. It is the same mentality that has caused the over population of deer in almost every part of the US which causes deer to starve in some cases. How humane is that?

[Brad]

I'm doing my part about that deer population.

[Elrond of Rivendell]

Like fast food, do you Brad?

[Keith G. in P.V.]

If it is intelligence that separates us from the animals, then perhaps we should embrace cannibalism –as long as the meal has a certain IQ.

Posted by: Kate | Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 03:58 PM

Hmmmm...Kate, wouldn't the world be better off if we embraced cannibalism as long as the meal HASN'T a certain IQ?

[Keith G. in P.V.]

Oh, Elrond, I think you're 12:29 comment is supposed to be "Woking the Dog". At least I think that's what Rufus Thomas sang.

On a serious note, search for "Temple Grandin" on the NPR web site. She's been on numerous times and is a rational advocate against cruelty to animals. AND she doesn't say to quit eating them.

[Searching]

They are trying to get people to quit torturing them until they die and then eating them.
It is not exactly the same thing.

[Just Say'in]

Searching is spot on.

D-Man, when I was in Pohang Korea there were dressed out and skinned dogs hanging in store windows, ready for the grill.

Funny how different parts of our world view certain animals' food value.

When I was in Saudi they exterminate dogs like we terminate rat populations.

SE Asia has the most interesting by far.

[Davey Smith]

Nemesis and Keith I see your point about people going hungry and how a dog could feed them.

Let's go a step further: the world is in chaos. I see you walking down the street with water and your wife. Guess what?...I am taking them both because I can survive on your water and I need the woman to procreate.

So yeah what you say is right, but so are all the other vile things that occur when a person is forced to live like an animal. To just say something is only part of the food chain. Well in certain situations you two guys could find yourselves as part of the same food chain. It's 2010......wake up.

[Tom K]

I think that the ship has sailed about China's image, thank you.

[Drasil]

Soylent Green.

[Mickey Mouse]

That picture is hard for me because I am such a dog lover. All of my dogs have been adopted off the street, so to see this picture is heart wrenching. Are they the same culture who eats rats? Gives a new name for puppy mills doesn't it?