Dog meat eating is probably one of the most unbelievable cultural shocks an American could ever run into traveling in China. This is not only because the cute and loyal companion have become a part of their household life back in the States, more importantly, when they see the cruelty and volume at which dogs are slaughtered for food in China and the attitude of taking it for granted that Chinese people showcase on dog eating behavior are just unbearable for them. Well, in accordance with considering specific situation under specific standards, Chinese people do have reasons to justify their such behavior for eating dogs. Dog eating has been a thousand year tradition in China; distinction between meat dogs and pet dogs is clearly made in the country and the country’s current animal rights movement under ebbs are all reasons to justify Chinese people’s dog eating behavior.
First off, for Chinese people, eating dog is as natural as eating another animals that provide their meat for human consumption. Dog eating has been a tradition for thousands of years in China. It can be traced back to three thousands of years ago when the classic The Book of Songs and Shi Ji (Historical Records) all have recordings about eating dogs. Back then, dog eating was not only prevalent, but also considered a huge deal. Oftentimes, when a religious and political event was held, dog meat would be on the tables of meals for devouring. Shi Ji most famously recorded such famous historical figure as Liu Bang and Xiang Yu eating dog meat in the notorious Hong Gate Banquet anecdote (Hong Meng Yan). Back in those days, dog meats were considered a good way to show respect for one’s guests, not only because they are tasty, but also that ancient Chinese people had developed lots of varying ways to cook dog meat, making them the most nutritious ways to replenish Protein.
Even in modern days, dog eating is so natural in some part of China that people have just taken it as a natural part of their lives. In the Southwestern Chinese city of Yulin, where every year, an annual dog eating festival would be held when citizens would eat dog meat and litchi. Some might argue why dog and litchi. It’s not a deliberate uncivilized choosing of dog meat, but rather only a natural result of its rather humid natural environment. People need dog meat to provide the nutrition and protein their bodies require. Also, due to cultural reasons, this area has a tradition of keeping dogs as food supply. It’s only a matter of local and regional tradition. No such thing as ethical rules apply in this sector. Otherwise, people would make the same case for Americans eating pig. Because, after all, there are differences between dogs and pigs when it comes to their animals rights. Therefore, in some parts of China, dog eating is merely a thousand year tradition.
Secondly, while Chinese people are crazy about dog meats and rightfully so, because it’s really cooked well, they are not pointing their menu to the pet dogs that they themselves or their neighbors are keeping. There is still a clear distinction between meat dogs and pet dogs. As modernization hits the country, some city dwellers start to keeping dogs as pets, as a companion. In this case, the function of these dogs are equal to those pet dogs in America. This is where actual comparison can be made. Chinese people don’t eat pet dogs, not because these dogs are considered “human’s best friends” or “human’s greatest companion”， but only because it feels weird and awkward to eat somebody’s pets. Therefore, when a pet dogs is presented to a butcher, it won’t be considered material for food. In China, pet dogs are decorated with cloths and walked alongside their masters on high streets. People would throw up to even think of the idea of eating these dogs, but because they respect their rights, but because they despise such dogs. These dogs are even put in situation better than humans. They should be turned, but eaten. They don’t deserve the warm stomach of construction workers who work so hard to build cities and everything. Rather, they should be slaughtered and then threw away. So, as a result, there is no ethical dilemma in China for eating pet dogs for pet dogs don’t deserve to be eaten.
Lastly, the ethical consequences of eating dogs have been verbosely argued by animal rights activists in the west, including or especially in the U.S.. While this essay doesn’t hold any of these argumentation to be water-holding, let’s just assume these theoretical and ethical arguments to be necessary. Even so, there is still no preventing Chinese people from eating dogs. For in China, no one talks about animal rights. A few scholars may be doing such research. But, it’s not even a topic for everyday Chinese people. For them, eating dog is as natural as eating a bowl of noodles. When they hear the idea that dogs should not be eaten, they just smile and shrug and quietly walk away. They are not even going to argue with you. Because here in China, awareness in animal rights has not even blossomed yet. It’s not a problem at all just like it’s not a problem to hold guns privately in the U.S.. If comparisons can be made at such terms, legal gun possession is also something that Chinese would hold as cultural shock as well. Some might argue from the perspective of American history and culture that legal gun possession is not against ethical rules. The same can be done about Chinese people’s eating dog.
All in all, what seems to be a huge cultural shock can easily be justified. Historical traditions give dog-eating historic backgrounds while realities in south-western part of China is another solid justification for such behavior. Lastly, when people think that dog eating is against animal rights, logical argumentation such as what’s the differences between dogs and pigs are not even going to be brought up in China. For in China, animal right awareness is not existent therefore, the reality is dog eating is as routine as eating pigs in the America. For those who still hold dog eating as cultural shock, maybe getting used to it is a good way to go. After all, most of the American people who come to China would love to have a taste of dog, or snake or all the other things they don’t have chance to taste back at home. Looking at things from a different perspective is not only the point of opening up one’s mind, but also what’s so great about traveling to or living in a different part of this world. This world is so big and differences so many, dog eating cannot be the worst of them all.