By "we", I mean the First World nations of the Western hemisphere, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, places where the culture is ultimately derived from Europe, and generally forbids the consumption of dogs and cats, even if only recently.
Granted, there are are a few places in Europe where people eat dogs and cats, but it is mostly restricted to poor, rural populations or very poor Roma People. It is illegal or very restricted in most European countries. However, the consumption of dog and cat meat does appear to be much more widespread and tolerated in much of east Asia, especially
China,
Korea and some countries of
South East Asia. There are groups in these countries trying to ban it, so I realize not all east Asians eat dog or cat meat.
It seems that the main reason westerners do not eat dogs or cats is due to traditions(some of them religious - Judaism and Islam forbid the eating of dogs and cats) that designate what animals are for companionship(or in earlier times, as "work" animals), and what animals are for eating. Even people who love eating cows are often horrified over the idea of people eating dogs or cats. This seems hypocritical to me(I'm a vegetarian). Ultimately, what I am asking is why is it okay to allow the eating cows, pigs, rabbits, goats, and sheep("farm animals"), but not dogs and cats? Are there any good scientific or sociological reasons for doing so, beyond the possible health problems due to the effects of biomagnification in the flesh of carnivores(dogs, cats) as opposed to herbivores(cows)?
I am not trying to judge anyone here or persuade them to become a vegetarian. I just want to know the reasons for condemning the eating of one type of animal, but not others, and if there are good reasons for this, beyond tradition. Would the consequences of tolerating the eating of dog and cat meat be so terrible?
