To wonder how eating dog meat is any different to eating any other kind of meat?

[xiaozhu]

Just that, really.

I wouldn't eat my chickens

Well yes, animal conditions are barbaric in many parts of the world, but that goes for all animals and not just dogs.

There is no difference logically. I don't see anything wrong with eating dog, horse, guinea pig etc... But in this country there tends to be no culture of it. We also don't tend to eat ants and see snails as garden pests rather than a culinary delight.

at OP's username. Very apt.

Pigs are highly intelligent, similar to dogs. It seems funny, its almost like some animals have better PR than others - dolphin friendly tuna being an instance

But these are all quite separate issues: animal welfare, health, moral/social objections.

If dogs were being farmed for meat, would we feel differently about it?

If we do, it is because they culturally and socially are parts of our families and we luffs them, not because their meat is intrinsically different.

And for the record, had I been on that crashed plane in the Andes, I'd've partaken in a bit of mild cannibalism. I think it's all about context.

For the record, most antibiotics don't kill bacteria, they stop them from multiplying and the immune system mops up the rest.

Perfectly logical, Cactus, when you take it to its logical conclusions and people can make their own decisions about what they do/don't eat.

But I'm asking why eating dog comes in for special criticism. I don't hear many people making a fuss about eating chickens or sheep, or tiny lifeforms for that matter.

Oh, do tell, what's the significance of the OP's NN?

It's Chinese, innit.

Duffy - better PR? Why do you think this is?

It's Chinese for 'little pig'.

Pigs are highly intelligent also. We eat those.

I am veggie. I use the example of eating dog to explain to meat eaters how I feel about eating all meat, if they ask.

There is no difference at all. It's just we've been socialised into eating cow, pig etc and not dog.

xiaozhu Mammals ? cuteness?

Duffy - just wondering if there's a bit more to it than that. Now that I have been 'outed' as it were, I should declare my interest. I feel as though the dog eating criticism is a way of portraying the Chinese in particular - also Korea and Vietnam - as barbaric, backward etc.

I love pigs

Pigs are clever and get treated like shit in abbatoirs.

I don't think eating one animal is any better or worse than eating another.

I'm not vegetarian

Of course it is no different, it is just socially unacceptable in most western cultures.

In the same way we get furious about the killing dolphins, whales, etc. Pure hypocrisy really.

No difference at all except for the cultural sense of superiority it seems to give people

It's in part to do with their intelligence I reckon. There is a hierarchy going on, hypocritical though it may be - most people would be horrified at the thought of eating a chimpanzee for example but happily tuck into some chicken. Admittedly there are exceptions to this, like pigs (though not sure exactly what their level of intelligence is).

It's also a dog's usefulness. Even though we now keep dogs lovingly as pets, until recently they were working animals. We used them to hunt, guard us and help us control other animals that we farmed. In that case a dog is normally more useful to you alive than on your plate.

It isn't. Most Westerner's eat pork and pigs make lovely pets, better than dogs in many ways. Pigs also eat meat given any opportunity.

I'm not sure about the UK, but where I'm from the most popular type of fish from the fish and chip shop is flake, which is shark. So a carnivorous predator. People also hunt for food, and I don't see anyone saying that's strange because the animals haven't been raised and monitored for food consumption.

It's entirely cultural. If we'd ended up domesticating pigs in mass numbers instead of dogs and cats we'd be eating Rex and Fluffy and feel sick at the thought of eating Babe.

Dogs are carnivorous and have higher levels of heavy metals, radioactive isotopes and carcinogenic compounds none of which are killed by cooking.
Pigs are omnivores and not eaten in many cultures. The pork eaten in the UK and Europe is not fed on meat products.

I don't just because I don't know it's provnenace. But I'm a brave eater and have eaten kangaroo. I can't see why it's any different if it's farmed and sold in a supermarket pack. Tesco finest dog meat? I think sheep are very cute too. So are cows and we eat them.

I think most people would be horrified if they see how animal is killed and slaughtered. I for one wouldn't want to see it. It would put me right off the food.

It is more risky (ignoring the why anyone would want to eat an animal that gives you so much) as dogs eat meat whilst cows eat grass.

DamsonInDistress that's not true wrt antibiotic use, some were banned, lots are still licensed, they are used to promote growth as well as disease prevention and are used routinely even in organic animals.