(CN) When there is more to it than dog meat

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http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/special-to-the-china-p

ost/2010/01/31/243025/When-there.htm

 

 

 

 

When there is more to it than dog meat

 

 

In the minds of the Chinese, Fan Kuai is one of the most famous generals

under Liu Bang, the peasant-turned-first emperor of China's Han Dynasty (206

BC to AD 220).

 

As a close friend of the Han Emperor Gaozu, Fan was from the same hometown

as his ruler in Pei county, now called Feng county, Jiangsu province.

 

Fan is also known in Chinese history as a butcher of dogs.

 

There are even records of a happy homecoming for the triumphant,

dog-meat-loving Liu after he vanquished his enemies, in a celebration of

song and dance penned in the timeless poem Da Feng Ge.

 

So it is understandable that debate is now heating up over the latest

proposed draft of the country's first animal welfare law prohibiting the

consumption of dog meat. Fines in the draft will be up to 5,000 yuan

(US$733) with a maximum detention of 15 days for potential violators.

 

Like many people in the West, supporters of the draft view eating dog meat

as taboo. Heartlessly butchering and devouring man's best friend can be

animal cruelty to the highest degree.

 

But as with many other Chinese habits and practices that usually draw more

foreign criticism than they deserve, eating dog meat in China also has

cultural connotations and other dimensions that are often overlooked.

 

Dog meat, as mentioned above, has been on Chinese plates for centuries. From

the southern and eastern provinces of Guangdong and Jiangxi to northeastern

provinces such as Jilin and Liaoning neighboring the Korean Peninsula,

eating dog meat is part of traditional dietary beliefs passed down through

generations in these regions.

 

In other areas, eating dog meat is firmly entrenched in local history and

livelihood.

 

When the latest proposed draft came out, many residents in Shiqiu town of

Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu, reportedly flew into a fury - theirs was a town

famous for serving dog meat dishes that numerous local businesses depended

on. The area had been an impoverished one in the old days and became famous

for the food only because residents in the past had to graciously resort to

serving dog in hosting guests.

 

Even so, the habit is now limited to a few areas in the country and is far

from widespread.

 

It is also hard to avoid drawing parallels with the perennial debate over

the Japanese consumption of whale meat - a dish that became a staple in

post-war Japan after being introduced by its American occupiers as a cheap

source of protein, and one that is now marginally eaten by many of the

younger generation who see the dietary habit more as a cultural remnant.

 

Chinese diners who choose to eat dog will also attest to the fact that the

meat now comes from lesser breeds that are specifically raised for food and

not the household pets that might immediately come to mind for opponents of

the habit and animal welfare activists.

 

Taken as a culturally legitimate food source, these breeds raised for food

must then be given the same humane treatment that animal welfare groups

advocate for farm animals that make up most of the world's meals.

 

More importantly, the proposed draft must continue to be open to public

feedback so that all these factors and interests can be taken into

consideration before any legislation is passed.

 

Only then can reasonable compromise be made on a culturally sensitive issue

at home and abroad.

 

 

 

Comments

 

 

 

February 1, 2010 antcheek@

 

 

 

You're talking about KILLING another innocent, sentient being for a food

that is NOT needed! Nonetheless, " humane " and " meat " do NOT belong in the

same sentence, as there is no such thing; the only " humane " treatment of

animals is to respect their right to life and LEAVE THEM ALONE!

 

 

 

February 1, 2010 susanblissett@

 

 

 

China wants to be seen as a world force. None of this will happen if they

continue to eat (and torture) cats and dogs. The cat and dog has evolved

into being humans companions - when will China and the Chinese evolve into

having some semblance of empathy for those animals that have chosen to live

with us. The rest of the civilized world will continue to mock and scorn the

Chinese for their barbaric ways.

 

 

 

February 1, 2010 msluckystarr@

 

 

 

I grew up on delicious Chinese food, Chinese Fairy Tales, Dolls, and other

pretty things and I loved Chinatown. When I was in my early 20's, I saw a

film called Mondo Cane. It showed a skinned dog being thrown into a pot.

After that, I stopped eating meat and to this day will not go near it.

Sadly, I've also lost my taste for Chinese food. As far as cats go, I used

to take care of some that were waiting for adoption. One day one of them got

frightened of something. The poor guy screamed like a human being, I never

heard anything like it before. It broke my heart and I held him till he

calmed down. The poor thing had a heart condition also. I detest hunters

here in America, I detest the killing of the wolves and I have made my

feelings known. I do not like the attitude towards animals that some people

have. Yet there are many pet owners and animal lovers who work hard to make

laws against these heartless people who kill for fun and not for food or any

other reason. It's about sport, and gang initiations. One thing I like about

China, they do not let troublemakers into their society. They put their put

down and keep out people who make trouble for everyone else. I guess eating

different kinds of meat has been a custom but truthfully, I know that many

people would travel to China if they felt there was more respect for

companion animals. Chinese restaurants here are inspected regularly by the

Board of Health, a State Agency. If they find dogs, cats or rats, they shut

the place down in a moment's notice with an announcement placed on the door.

Surprisingly, some of the most popular local places were among these. So,

the beautiful Chinese animals belong to China, especially the gorgeous white

cats and the lovely dogs. So many people would be thrilled to be greeted on

the street by these sweet animals and their owners.