Why can't dogs and other animals be food in America?

Question

I have traveled many places in this world and have eaten things not normally available in the U.S., like dog, whale, dolphin, horse, etc.

Why is it that we don't take advantage of an abundant protein supply like we have in the overpopulation of abandoned dogs, cats, etc.? Isn't it hypocritical to chomp down on a burger or a hot dog and yet squeal when you hear about dogs being eaten?

We need to be more adventurous in our culinary lives and throw off the closed mindedness that prevents us from being more cosmopolitan like in places such as China, Korea, the Middle east, etc.

Answer 1

Maybe just eat cats but not dogs. Kind of a snack size animal.

Answer 2

i agree with you. I've been around teh world many times and have eaten things overseas that if you mention it here, people go nuts and start talking about animal rights and protection and how it is wrong to eat animals. hell, I remember walking down the streets in China and seeing what was on the menu in the store windows or hanging from the roof. I think the whole thing is that people would prefer not to know about what goes on in teh rest of the world. Americans, (yes i am an american too) are kinda spoiled with what htey have in the states. They don't realize that some people in the world need to survive and don't have the same options of what meat to eat today or tomorrow. The way i think about it is, "feed me now and tell me what i ate afterwords" Hey, if it is good than its good. People see pets as real family members here in the states instead of just pets. I love all my dogs very much but i understand taht they will die before I do and do not have the same needs or wants that I do. I'm not saying treat animals like crap or anything but understand that they are animals. For the religious types, the Bible and Torah and the Koran all say that man was placed on earth and that he had power over all the animals of the world.

Answer 3

I think the answer is that, as a collective group, Americans have decided that it is morally repugnant to eat dogs, cats, horses. I'm guessing that not eating your pet is a sign of a higher socio-economic class. For example, a lot of farming families have children who have a pet chicken, pig, etc. One day...it's dinner.

Americans have food animals, wild animals, and pet animals. I think that the pet-type of animals are on a par with humans. Eating a pet-animal is like cannibalism (but there is that in the world too....)

By the way, the dolphin you eat is NOT the Flipper-type mammal; it is a fish.

Answer 4

The reason is, quite simply, most Western countries like the US and UK are civilised. They don't feel the need to eat everything that moves. Countries like China and Korea are hardly places to look up to considering their atrocious records for caring for their people and animals. Besides, who cares what they eat in other countries? There are some areas of the world where it's accepted to be a cannibal but you'd hardly be advocating that in the US.

And to respond to the person who said this: 'By the way, the dolphin you eat is NOT the Flipper-type mammal; it is a fish.'

All species of dolphin are mammals, regardless of what they look like.

Answer 5

As far as I know it's not Illigal to eat those if there rased as food, and buchered in a humain fassion.

The problem with abandoned dogs, is they could be someones pet, and you run into legal issues if you go around buchering them for food.

Though I do beleve Congress just recently passed a law outlawing the use of Horses as a food source.

Answer 6

You are right. It is hypocritical. That's one of the MANY reasons I am a vegan. Of course, the main one is factory farming...

The answer to overpopulation is spay/neuter.

Why not take advantage of the abundant source of protein available to us and eat the ignorant hillbillies that let their pets run rampant and reproduce wildly, to the point of causing a pandemic?

Answer 7

Because people are squeamish and afraid.

I think if people realized the crap that they actually do eat on a regular basis (in hot dogs, burgers, etc) they would hopefully be a little more open minded.

I think it's silly, though. People need to stop being so closed minded when it comes to food. Just because you may have something as a pet, doesn't mean that it isn't damn tasty.

Answer 8

it's mostly because of the cultural preferences that America has when compared to other countries. Many americans consider their pets a part of their family. In other countries the pet is just a work animal. etc etc

Answer 9

Because in America we are a bit more civil (in my opinion) and we don't like to eat things of beauty (like dolphins). We like to consider our pets companion animals and not dinner.

If you would like to be more adventurous in your culinary life that's great. It's our CULTURE. If you don't agree, I am sure one of those "cosmopolitan" countries would love to have you as a new citizen.

Bon appetite!

Answer 10

It a untied state rule and some people in America told the prestdent that there shouldn't its a free country and wants peace to everyone in the world!!1