Would You Eat Your Dog Or Other Pet Animal?
@RawBill1 (8531)
Gold Coast, Australia
August 24, 2009 8:48pm CST
Recently making headlines in the news here in Australia, was a story from New Zealand about a man who had killed his dog, then cooked it on the barbecue and invited his friends around to share it with him. The man was from Tonga where eating dog is a delicacy.
He said when interviewed "Dog, Horse, Cow, we eat it all in Tonga"! He decided to kill the dog because it was becoming unmanagable! Under New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act, it is legal to kill a dog as long as it is done humanely and quickly!
There has been a bit of an uproar over this as people see it as cruel and they are upset that he was not charged! Although I do not agree that killing your pet dog should be allowed, I do not think it is any worse than people mass murdering cows for human consumption.
In fact I have known many people on farms over the years who have grown cows, sheep and pigs as pets, only to have them butchered and the meat frozen for their consumption! What is the difference? Most people would not take offence at someone doing that, but as soon as someone cooks their dog, there is an uproar!
Had you heard this story in the news? What are your thoughts?
6 people like this
21 responses
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I did not see the story, but I don't how someone could do that. How can you have something as a pet and supposedly love that pet and then kill it and eat it? I could never do that. I could never live on a farm that raises and breeds animals for eating. I could never kill or eat something whose face I have actually seen. I don't have any problem eating meat, but I don't associate it to the animal when I eat it. If I do I have trouble getting it down. I loved my very much it has been two years since we had to put her down because she could no longer walk. I still cry about it from time to time.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your comment LadyM! I can see that you care about animals! Especially your pets! I could not kill an animal either!
I do not eat meat anymore but I used to eat it all the time in the past and I think one of the reasons that I stopped is because I could picture the animal!
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Hello rawbill1 
I just think its disgusting ,the thought of eating a dog makes me sick, but I also agree with you when you say people can kill/eat other animals why should they have a problem with this, its a dog, I don't know I will never want to eat a dog I don't care how hungry I am, it just seems sick to me. 
Your right, but then the thought of this is so wrong. 
I just think its disgusting ,the thought of eating a dog makes me sick, but I also agree with you when you say people can kill/eat other animals why should they have a problem with this, its a dog, I don't know I will never want to eat a dog I don't care how hungry I am, it just seems sick to me.
Your right, but then the thought of this is so wrong. @RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Yep! It is pretty wrong in my opinion! Even when I was eating meat all the time, I would have never eaten dog! (unless I did not know it was dog of course)
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
29 May 10
I see what you're saying, but I just can't ever imagine eating a dog (or a cat)...there are certain animals that were 'put here' to be food, and certain animals that were 'put here' to be companions.
Companions: Dogs, Cats, Horses
Food: Cows, Pigs (*sniff sniff*
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
29 May 10
I never knew that our jaws were similar to plant eaters and not meat eaters! That's very interesting--that's my new thing for today! 
lol
Well, if I ever get my animal sanctuary up and running you can bet I'll stop eating meat. I just don't think I would be able to eat the animals that I am rescuing. It'll be weird to have pigs running around on my sanctuary, safe and happy--and then go and eat some bacon! lol
(I kind of disagree with myself too-I can see all animals as companion animals) lol
lol
Well, if I ever get my animal sanctuary up and running you can bet I'll stop eating meat. I just don't think I would be able to eat the animals that I am rescuing. It'll be weird to have pigs running around on my sanctuary, safe and happy--and then go and eat some bacon! lol
(I kind of disagree with myself too-I can see all animals as companion animals) lol@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
30 May 10
If you go to this page that I built: http://www.squidoo.com/healthyrawfood and scroll down to a YouTube video titled "A Vegan Cartoon" it explains the whole jaw thing pretty well and it is very funny too! 
It would be weird to eat bacon when you are looking after pigs! I did not ever really feel comfortable eating meat, but I did it for most of my life as it was a habit. Once I broke that habit and realised that physically I felt better as well as ethically, I felt much better overall.
It would be weird to eat bacon when you are looking after pigs! I did not ever really feel comfortable eating meat, but I did it for most of my life as it was a habit. Once I broke that habit and realised that physically I felt better as well as ethically, I felt much better overall. @RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
29 May 10
I could never have eaten dogs or cats either when I ate meat. Now I think of all animals as being equal and believe that we should not be eating any of them. I also could not kill an animal but I have to disagree with you that certain animals were put here to be food for us.
I think they are here to live long and happy lives just as we are. Some animals are designed or have evolved as meat eaters and have the jaw structure and internal organs to do this successfully. We do not. We have a jaw similar to cows and other grass eating animals and have a long intestinal system that is not set up for digesting meat properly. 
@bigplay (212)
• United States
26 Aug 09
I'd never eat any kind of pet, especially a dog or a cat, i think that's just discusting. I think certain animals shouldn't be eaten, no matter what.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 09
I agree with you 100% there my friend!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
@Quiplet (255)
• United States
26 Aug 09
It's the mindset. Eat the cow-good. Eat the cat-bad. Personally I don't eat that stuff at all. I'm an herbivore and your body agrees it is too.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
27 Aug 09
Thanks for your thoughts Quiplet!
I believe that all humans are meant to be herbivores! We do not have the same jaw structure as carnivores. They have a pointy jaw and flesh tearing teeth, where we humans have a short rounded jaw similar to cows! Our jaw structure is designed for grinding grains, leaves and grasses!
So why are we eating meat? I believe that people in cold climates long ago turned to eating meat in desperation when their surrounds were covered in snow. This habit stuck over time through the warmer months as well and centuries later evolved into the massive and harmful industry that we see today!
I believe that all humans are meant to be herbivores! We do not have the same jaw structure as carnivores. They have a pointy jaw and flesh tearing teeth, where we humans have a short rounded jaw similar to cows! Our jaw structure is designed for grinding grains, leaves and grasses!
So why are we eating meat? I believe that people in cold climates long ago turned to eating meat in desperation when their surrounds were covered in snow. This habit stuck over time through the warmer months as well and centuries later evolved into the massive and harmful industry that we see today! @srolewishs (5)
• China
3 Jun 10
I cant understand it,killing his dog just for dinner?How ridiculous it is!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
3 Aug 10
I know! It makes absolutely no sense to me. It is cruel and horrific!
@laglen (19759)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I had not heard this story. I am a meat eater but would find it very difficult to eat my pet. If something happened and we had to in order to survive, then yes. But it would be done very humanely.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for sharing your thoughts laglen! I would still not do it in order to survive! There are so many edible plants growing everywhere around us that most people could survive nearly anywhere with just a little knowledge!
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I don't think I could eat my pet. It's actually kind of alarming. As I dictate this answer, my cat is in my lap. Unless it was like severe survival emergency, I wouldn't do it. I know some cultures do, but I don't think those are pets. More like the way we treat cows and chickens here in America. My ex says she won't eat anything that used to be alive. I told her that this would also include plant material. She said she drew the line at animals because they have feelings.
I like her logic but my body just won't deal with vegetarianism. Trust me. I've tried.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 09
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am the opposite, my body works really well without meat! I feel more alive!
Yeah I agree with you that it is alarming and that they see dogs the same as how we in western cultures see chickens and cows!
I agree with you also that plants are alive but they are not so closely related to us humans as cows and dogs are, so it is easy not to become emotionally attached to them. Also, if we did not eat any plants at all we would be really unwell, but most can live well without meat!
Yeah I agree with you that it is alarming and that they see dogs the same as how we in western cultures see chickens and cows!
I agree with you also that plants are alive but they are not so closely related to us humans as cows and dogs are, so it is easy not to become emotionally attached to them. Also, if we did not eat any plants at all we would be really unwell, but most can live well without meat!
@srpkinja (375)
• Canada
25 Aug 09
I heard about this. I don't think people around the world are wrong for eating "pets" or animals as they think of them in various countries because they don't usually have dogs and cats as pets and see them simply as food. This case specifically, is disgusting since this dog was their PET. I mean, you love something and then once you see it as unmanageable you decide you're not going to waste it and just go for the kill and eat it as. It's like your grandma being too old and you decide it's her time and then eating her but we wouldn't do that with humans but animals seem fine though, pets, friends. Poor dog. I couldn't eat something I loved.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 09
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I understand that it is quite normal in certain cultures to eat dogs and that some cultures might think that what I spend my time doing is wrong! But I do personally believe that it is wrong to eat animals full stop! Even though in the past I have eaten loads of meat, I would not do it now! I agree with what you are saying about eating grandma, 
we are animals too just like the dog!
I understand that it is quite normal in certain cultures to eat dogs and that some cultures might think that what I spend my time doing is wrong! But I do personally believe that it is wrong to eat animals full stop! Even though in the past I have eaten loads of meat, I would not do it now! I agree with what you are saying about eating grandma, we are animals too just like the dog!
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
25 Aug 09
Actually, after her manic antics tonight, our new puppy might be a candidate. Did the article give a recipe? Any special herbs and seasonings?
Lash
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 09
Ah...no! No recipes there for dog! I have been threatening my dog that I will invite the Tongans around now when she plays up! There is a large Tongan community here on the Gold Coast! My wife gets a good laugh out of it and it goes straight over my kids heads...lol
@johneehs (41)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
In our country, killing and eating of domestic animals are strictly prohibited and punishable by law. But in some areas here, I know there are still who unreasonably do it for fun. Especially in rural areas, they cooked and prepared it in the table during celebrations or parties. And for the record, I couldn't even look at it or tasted it. I have two puppies and I wouldn't allow anyone to harm them.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 09
Hi Johnees, thanks for your comment! I am glad to hear that it is prohibited there, but it is sad that some are breaking these rules. I just do not understand how people could do such a thing at a celebration!
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
25 Aug 09
Killing your own pet just because the pet has become unmanageable is really immoral; it's heartless. The dog has been with the man as his friend, and then when he's not controllable, he's killed. It just doesn't make sense, and it also shows that the owner of the dog is very irresponsible. He could eat other dogs if he wanted to but definitely not his friend. I think he was taking advantage of the loophole in the written law.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kevchua! Yes it is completely wrong isn't it! I do not think the man was taking advantage of any loopholes though as he was surprsed by the fuss made about what he did! In his own country it was a perfectly acceptable thing to do! He said that now he realises it is not acceptable although legal to do that in New Zealand, that he would not do it again!
@shhheila (1845)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
havent heard of it... poor dog, they dont deserve to be eaten. dogs are man's bestfriend... some people dont have mercy in killing and eating animals... even i get hungry i wont kill my dogs for food! i love animals so much. it hurts to see animals killed and hurt, animals have feelings too...
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your thoughts! Yes animals do have feelings too, even cows and chickens! Yet it is perfectly acceptable in most societies for them to be cruely treated and then killed by the meat manufacturing companies! But cruelty to dogs is really frowned upon here in Australia, so everyone seemed to be talking about it!!!
@wangjihong350 (887)
• China
25 Aug 09
Hello,Eat their own pets..Are simply too cruel to them.I do not know what to say.I can not imagine.Puppy or kitten that is our friend.Is also a life.If we encounter outside a cat or a stray dog,we will give it something to eat.Even the adoption of it.How can eat it.I hope that we human beings care for animals.because animals and our planet,it is also a master of the earth ah.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
I totally agree with you there! It is shocking and the thought of doing putting my dog on the barbecue to eat makes me feel sick!!! Thanks for sharing! :-)
@sophie_dfuss (2365)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
It does not only happen in Tonga but also in some Asian countries like China, Thailand and my home country, the Philippines. Here some people eat different animals like snake, horse, dog, cat, rat, frog, spiders, worms and insects. Honestly, I find those kind of food gross. I do not want to put junk into my body and my digestive system is quite sensitive at times. I can't imagine eating a frog, we know that frogs eat flies and flies are one of the dirtiest insects. I would rather eat chicken heart and liver than eating those kind of food. I used to be a vegetarian and only started eating meat last 2005. I do not have a pet right now and if ever I will have one, I will never eat it. Its also a living being with feelings though it does not have rational thinking like humans do. Just imagine what if we were an animal and a human will kill us for consumption? It sounds so cruel. I am thinking of going vegetarian again as I have observed a big weight gain with myself ever since I am eating meat. Besides it will be more earth-friendly if we are going to be just vegetarians.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your comments Sophie! :-)
Yes I know that in asian countries these animals are eaten! When I was in China in 1998 I was still a meat eater and I ate some strange looking meat from a roadside stall. I have no idea what it was, but being an open minded traveller, I ate most of it!
I do agree with you about the frogs and flies! Who knows where flies have been just before being eaten by a frog. I would imagine that those germs would then transfer to the frog and then the person eating the frog! As if the thought of eating a frog in the first place wasn't bad enough...lol
You should lose weight if you stop eating meat, I lost about 10 kilograms when I stopped eating it! Stopping eating animal products is a great help for the environment as the meat and dairy industries create more harmful emissions than all of the cars on the roads put together!
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I could never eat a pet, specially dogs or cats. Livestock, long as I don't name it or coddle it, gets butchered for the table and I would have no problems eating it. I, however, could not kill an animal myself. Would have to find somebody to do that part.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for commenting, I think you have summed up perfectly how most people feel about the meat that they are eating. I was like that too, I could never kill it myself but I had no issues with eating it!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Yep, I guess there is the main difference between eating cow and dog! Cows only eat greens and dogs eat all sorts of horrible stuff! I have skipped the animals and am now like a cow! I eat loads of greens! :-) Thanks for your comments Emma!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Awesome! I am with you there! :-) Thanks for commenting!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
25 Aug 09
Hi RawBill. I'd be very pleased to be invited round to one of my neighbours houses to partake in their pet dog if they ever decide to put the yapping pest down, it's always trying to take a chunk out of me. Can't imagine there'd be much meat to go round though, it's about 6 inches high and appears to mainly consist of hair and teeth.@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your comment Thea. I understand where you are coming from with barking dogs and the temptation to kill them is definately there sometimes with me too...lol But in reality I could never actually do them harm! :-)
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
25 Aug 09
there really is a group of people that eats the meat of dogs. here in our country, there is an illegal butchering of dogs and it seems that the government lacks the teeth to apprehend the people doing it. i wonder how they can take to eat man's best friend.
ann
ann@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your comment, wow that is really sad! I hope that someone can film it and bring it to the attention of the world! That may help to stop it! Dogs are really intelligent and it is so wrong to do that to them! :-(
