I like dogs more than I like most people. This applies particularly to my own dog, Nadi. When I tell people that I moved to Vietnam one of the first and most annoying things that they will ask me is "You know they eat dogs there?" or something along those lines. For years when I lived in Thailand people would start out a conversation about ladyboys or prozzies as if that was all the country had on offer.
Anyway, I encountered my first restaurant serving dog yesterday, and it actually kind of shocked me because the dog was on a spit near the front entrance. They are not trying to hide the fact that they serve this and it is not illegal.
I thought about it, and decided to not include an image of the dog on the spit or the ones that are glazed and hanging in the window because it was shocking and disturbing to me, and i think it is unnecessarily so for people who might be reading this.. You'll just have to imagine it and take my word for it that I actually saw this place.
I think it should be obvious that I did NOT go into this restaurant, I simply randomly encountered it and kept walking after it took my breath away a bit. I knew that such establishments existed, but I thought it would be in some small village in the middle of nowhere, not in the middle of a busy city in a relatively enormous restaurant with the dog on full display.
Once I had a chance to get over my initial reaction I had a chance to think about it a bit and I came to a conclusion that might actually surprise you, especially since my entire life pretty much revolves around my own dog, Nadi.
They'd have to kill me first before hurting this one
I've thought about it a lot since encountering that eatery and decided that I'm not opposed to eating dog. Surprised?
Think about it... If you enjoy a burger, some fried chicken, or some ribs the way that I do, it's a bit hypocritical to draw that line at dogs just because you have one that is domesticated in your house.
I've spoken to some Vietnamese people about this and was told that these restaurants have to provide certificates that show they acquired the dogs from a farm that raises dogs specifically for the meat trade the same way that a rancher would raise cows or a farmer pigs. These particular restaurants are not stealing poodles out of people's yard to BBQ them.
Apparently (and I did not check) the meat is a delicacy and it is actually a lot more expensive than your average meal. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT going to try it, ever. However, I don't think that a person can be opposed to the consumption of dog while still being a dedicated bacon eater. You are still consuming something that was once alive, period.
Now someone could make the point that not all the restaurants are obeying the rules and dogs, including pets actually are kidnapped for consumption in this country and they would be correct. Obviously I have a big problem with this and I worry about it when I am walking Nadi also. She stays very close to me on a leash because of this and if anyone were attempt to take her I would turn into the Incredible Hulk to prevent them from doing so.
I think it would take a particular type of heartless criminal to kidnap what is essentially a part of someone's family and I hope there is a special place in hell reserved for these types.
However, my overall opinion is that either you are going to be opposed to eating meat or you are not. Unless we are talking about an endangered species I don't think it makes much sense to be horribly against the consumption of one type of meat and not another.
That's my two bobs anyway.