It is a tragic story and once again illustrates for me at least that both AW and AR are logical reasoned positions, and intensive farming of any animal for any reason is inhumane and unethical.

It is nice to see that the intense and gathering movement in China for companion pet safety got a good mention as it proves to those who try to use some of the lingering traditions to excuse racism and xenophobia. (worth mentioning also that in Japan anti whaling sentiment is nearly as high as pro whaling sentiment, something that is not often mentioned on western news).

Korea has recently proposed to list dogs under their livestock laws, a move that would place additional regulations in place:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/na … 21247.html

The tradition of eating dogs goes very far back in Korean and certain Asian cultures.  As well, beef and dairy never really figured as largely in their cuisine as fowl and pork.

If you are interested in having a look at the relationship between food and culture, here is a pretty good place to start:

http://lilt.ilstu.edu/rtdirks/

Foods associated with various regions of the world, along with an extensive bibliography, can be found there.


I remember taking a course in cultural anthropology way back when.  Our first assignment was to discuss the use of dog as food in a foreign ritual celebration.  Many people found the idea of eating a dog offensive.   Dogs in western culture are defined as a pet/companion animal,  not as food. 

But after some thought, most people in the course agreed that from a foreign perspective keeping animals as pets might seem strange, as might the western diet.

This topic is the whole idea behind why I get upset over eating animals. I can not understand poeple getting upset over eating dogs or cats or monkeys. Yet they eat chickens, cows, pigs, rabbits, sheep. lambs, calves, ducks etc etc What makes an animal a food source? Why do poeple eat ANY ANIMALS? I don't understand getting upset over eating dogs if you eat cows or pigs or chickens. An ANIMAL is a  an animal no matter what you call it. Why do we think because we are human that means we have the right or need to eat any ANIMALS? Pigs are actually smarter and cleaner than dogs, yet we kill them by the millions for food.