Is it unethical for people to eat dog and/or cat meat as a regular part of their diet?

[ZombieHorde]

[JanMichael]

1. Not that black and white, even with the vegetarian choices

I think in some situations, in some cultures, it's perfectly ethical.

We are vegetarians.

[uppityperson]

2. I agree, it depends.

I eat meat.

[ZombieHorde]

4. What does it depend on?

[uppityperson]

12. Situational. Is it cultural norm there? Are you starving?

Is it your neighbor's cat/dog? Is it your ex's? Are you visiting or living in a culture where this is considered normal? Are you starving?

How about horse? Is it ethical to eat horse?

[ZombieHorde]

21. Answers to your questions.

Is it your neighbor's cat/dog?

No.

Are you visiting or living in a culture where this is considered normal?

You live in the U.S.

Are you starving?

No. It is just time for supper.

How about horse? Is it ethical to eat horse?

I almost used horse instead of cat/dog for my poll.

I would say no, it is not unethical to eat horse meat.

[uppityperson]

27. Not unethical, socially unacceptable.

[Donnachaidh]

30. having worked in the racing industry, I couldn't eat horses.

And I couldn't knowingly eat dog or cat, because I own both. But then again, unless you are the catcher/butcher person, could you really say you haven't? Someone sent me pictures of rats being shaved and cut up for food, and the very last photo of what came out of the deep fryer looked a great deal like buffalo wings. So you really cannot know exactly what you've eaten, can you? :shrug:

[ZombieHorde]

37. Very true, many of us may have eaten animals not normaly eaten in our region.

[ZombieHorde]

3. The situation is -regular part of your diet-.

Why would it be unethical in some cultures and not others?

[Pavulon]

14. Same as eating cow is unethical in some places..

If there is an asian tradition to eat what is a pet here, so be it. I have had guinea pig on a stick before in South America. I did not get sick from it, I was surprised by that..

Culture is relevant. Situation is relevant.

If I was starving and had fluffy the cat or lassie in front of me..well.

I bet it would taste like shit too.

[ZombieHorde]

29. "I bet it would taste like shit too."

Hunger is the best seasoning.

[ZombieHorde]

39. What your describing sounds more like cultural norms, not ethics.

For example, honor killings may be a cultural norm is some places, but I still find it to be unethical.

[verges]

67. Chicken.

but different.

[singilarpoint]

51. culture

Culture is a learned behavior. For example there is a tribe in Africa..I forget the name. They chow down on huge ass spiders, but they will not eat eggs because in their culture eating the unborn is taboo. The smallest unit of a culture is a family. Not to repeat myself, but culture is a learned behavior not something that you are born with.

[Warpy]

6. Exactly. I ate dog once on a reservation

It would have been much more unethical to insult the people who had cooked and shared their food with me by refusing it than to eat a piece of dog meat.

It's nothing I would go out of my way to eat, although I still do eat a minimal amount of seafood and can't justify condemning it as a vegetarian.

It doesn't taste like chicken, by the way.

[Forkboy]

5. I don't even think it's unethical to eat people.

[Poll_Blind]

8. I'm not turning my back on you!

:rofl:

PB

[ZombieHorde]

10. I can not see your picture, but I bet that I want to.

As for people eat people action, that is for another poll at another time.

[Forkboy]

17. LOL...it is a cool zombie pic.

If we don't eat people than we're clearly just picking on the chickens. :P

[ZombieHorde]

28. I got to see it! It is a cool zombie pic. Looks like a fun zombie video game.

I hope that Toho Scope will make Zombie Godzilla!

[Forkboy]

38. If that's what it takes to get another Godzilla movie made I'm all for it.

C'mon Toho...unretire the guy already! x(

[ZombieHorde]

42. There is a Godzilla movie scheduled for release in 2009.

Godzilla 3D to the MAX

http://godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Godzilla_3D_to_the_MAX

http://countingdown.com/movies/2820547

http://giantmonstersattack.blogspot.com/2007/06/godzilla-3d-to-max-and-then-some.html

[Forkboy]

48. That's been on again off again for years now.

I first heard about it 2002. It was originally planned for an '04 release, then '06, '07 and '08. They're still trying to get actual funding for it. The money people involved have switched around numerous times. I don't think it'll actually get done without help from Toho, and they aren't involved in it.

There was just a very cool dream sequence in a Japanese movie with an all CGI Godzilla in it. The movie is called Always Sunset On Third Street 2, a non-monster movie (and a big hit over there from what I've read), and the clip is pretty cool. Needless to say it's started rumors galore about Toho doing away with the "man in the suit" technique. I have mixed feelings on that, but the glimpse of Godzilla here is very cool. I think I could handle a movie done like this. :)

Here's the clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEEXydQc9KE

Here's a pic of the design.

[ZombieHorde]

70. That youtube clip was awesome!!!

[mrreowwr_kittty]

13. I hear Republicans taste like pork. nt

[GoneOffShore]

62. But who would eat them?

Even with a nice Chianti and some fava beans.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

64. Libertarians? nt

[verges]

68. I thought snake

tasted like chicken.

[rebel with a cause]

53. by your name and your response

I am glad that I don't live close to you. I would get tired watching you out of my newly drilled peep hole. :D

[revolve]

7. I don't think its unethical

but in many cultures it is socially unacceptable.
I eat meat and its not a choice I would make.
I eat beef and many Hindus would probably consider that to unethical.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

9. I'm (mostly) a vegetarian but my dogs and cat eat meat.

And I know that dogs and cats are food in some cultures. It's discomfitting to me, but I realize that's my perspective as someone who considers my pets to be part of my family.

[Rick Myers]

11. But, I draw the line at Soylent Green

ack!!

[montanacowboy]

15. Sick

dogs and cats are sentinent beings; they have faces and maybe even souls for all we know. Where do humans even draw the line? How about eating your neighbors for dinner?

I have not eaten meat for 35 years and believe me you don't need it.

[ingac70]

19. Pigs are even smarter than dogs.

I couldn't eat bacon for 3 years after getting to know a friends pet pig.

If they didn't get so damn huge they'd be awesome pets.

[rebel with a cause]

55. Rest at ease

Pigs will eat people when they get the chance. They will also eat their young under certain circumstances. So will rabbits, eat their young that is. Don't know of any man eating rabbits. :eyes:

Off course some dogs have been known to eat people also, but I have dogs.

[ingac70]

72. Man eating rabbit...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_of_Caerbannog

:P

[ingac70]

16. It's cultural...

I'd starve before eating cat or dog on purpose, but in some countries that is normal.

Just as long as they don't immigrate here and hunt down my Sally pup or my kitties all is cool.

[Poll_Blind]

18. Though I could never imagine being hungry enough to eat my pussy...

Gotta love Mrs. Slocombe

PB

[ingac70]

24. lol

:thumbsup:

[LeftyMom]

20. Eating any animal is unethical.

Non-human animals exist for their own purposes, not to serve as a resource for humans.

edit: typo

[ZombieHorde]

23. Is it unethical for bears to eat fish?

Do fish exist for their own purposes, or for the bears?

I think that the answer is neither.

[LeftyMom]

34. Humans have options, and the intellect to make wise choices.

:shrug:

[Firespirit]

22. I think it is unethical to eat any quasi-sentient animal

Dogs and cats certainly qualify. Any pet owner will tell you that.

And as for it being cultural, I would have a problem with a cultural tradition of eating whale or dolphin, for the same reason.

[Poll_Blind]

25. What if they've been raised to WANT to be eaten?

PB

[ZombieHorde]

26. What about pigs? They are as smart as dogs.

[rebel with a cause]

58. Yes, and so are some people.

But there is a difference in dogs and pigs. I might not be able to eat pork if I raised pigs, I don't know. But I have raised chickens and turkeys and have no problem with their consumtion. And don't preach at me, my son is a vegaterian. It is a choice we all have to make. If I die and there is a god and he is an animal, I'll sure be sorry.

[mikelewis]

31. It would be unethical for me to eat cat or dog... I could not do it unless there was a dire...

situation or... if it was in a very nice and hardy stew.

[pink-o]

32. Vegetarian here. But humans are truly omnivores.

Humans got our Big Brains from eating lots and lots of protein. But if you think that we just brought down a Wildebeast whenever we were hungry, or scooped a fish outta the river, or found a bird with a broken wing, you are TRULY TRULY naive!!!

Our human ancestors ate rats, insects, canines, felines, snakes, lizards--you name it. We wouldn't be here if they hadn't. So now humans eat cattle and poultry loaded up with Anti-biotics and growth hormone. Yet we impose cultural sensibilities on eating Fluffy or Rover. Or Even Mr Ed.

Seems a little hypocritical to me--but I haven't eaten an animal in 33 years, so what do I know?

[kdmorris]

33. No, it's not unethical

But I wouldn't choose to do it.

[Phoonzang]

35. To me it would depend on culture

If you're someone born and raised in a place where they do regularly eat dog and cat, no it's not. If you're from here, yes it's unethical.

[ZombieHorde]

36. What if a 40 year old from the U.S. goes to a country that eats dogs and/or cats?

Would it be unethical for that visitor to eat those animals during that visit?

[Phoonzang]

43. I think so, yes. On the other hand...

...it's already dead and someone's going to eat it. But then again....it's wrong. Eh...I'm conflicted.

[Petrushka]

40. Hm-m. Interesting question. With my tongue firmly in cheek, I'm wondering how Obama would vote--

considering that his stepfather introduced him to dog meat (tough), snake meat (tougher), and roasted grasshopper (crunchy).

"Like many Indonesians," Obama said (on page 37 of Dreams from My Father: A story of Race and Inheritance), "Lolo followed a brand of Islam that could make room for the remnants of more ancient animist and Hindu faiths. He explained that a man took on the powers of whatever he ate. One day soon, he promised, he would bring home a piece of tiger meat for us to share."


:shrug:





:hide:

[Dogtown]

41. Not unethical

but damned impolite.


:yoiks:

I'm a vegetarian, my wife is not.

[ccharles000]

44. If stuck on mountain with a cat and Rush Limbaugh....

which would you eat first.

[rebel with a cause]

60. Neither

Couldn't eat the cat and Linbaugh is rotten all the way through.

I'd watch the cat and eat what it ate. Then I would find my way down the mountain and be the new super model.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

45. Other: the ick factor drowns out the ethical considerations inside my mind.

:puke:

[Booster]

46. It depends on where you live. To us it's unethical and icky, but

not so much in the rest of the world. Last week I met and spent a couple of days with my nephew's friends. The guy was a buddy in the Marines and he is married to a black (he's white) Muslim woman, whom I found to be interesting, charming to a fault, down to earth, and extremely nice and hospitible. She said when she took her husband to meet her mother for the first time, her mother was aghast that she would bring home an American. She said they thought we were dirty because we "don't use water to clean yourself after going to the bathroom". Since most of the rest of the world does, her mother just might have something there. I never knew other people thought of us as dirty.

[flvegan]

47. If it isn't life or death (starvation) then yes, it is unethical.

Food is fuel. One doesn't need dog, cat or any other animal ingredient to live.

There's your fact for the day.

[Jack_DeLeon]

49. Not my first choice of meat, but IMO meat is meat.

We eat animals, some animals eat us.

[meow2u3]

50. Cats and dogs are friends, not food

You don't eat cat or dog, even if it means starving to death.

[Lorien]

57. Well, at least this thread is handy for one thing

filling up my "ignore" list. I have no trust for any person who thinks that a companion animal-a living thing that gives love unconditionally-is "just meat". I hate to think of how the people treat humans who they view as less than useful to them.

[pitohui]

52. it is VERY ethical, it is the right thing to do

anyone who catches and eats a feral cat is a hero to the small songbirds of north america, for that matter anyone who catches and eat a wild dog is pretty heroic too although at least the dogs aren't savaging our songbird population

i wish i had the courage, because it is certainly a good and right thing to do, and there is no shortage of this free protein on the hoof around here

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

54. It's unethical for Karl Rove to eat pork - virtually cannibalism

But then Karl Rove delights in unethical behavior, it fulfills him down to his soul.

[Lorien]

56. Unethical and idiotic in the extreme

predators are not meant to eat other predators. This is how crap like AIDS and ebola got it's start (humans eating flesh eating monkeys and apes). It's unethical because they are companion animals and have been essential in protecting livestock and helping the handicapped (dogs) and protecting people from vermin and the Plague (cats). Have a little respect and common sense, people.

[El Pinko]

59. Gross and sad, but no more unethical than eating any other animal.

NT

[BigBluenoser]

61. Ethical. Sure. They are food.

As for me eating cats and dogs...

My cat... no... your cat... yes... dogs... anytime, anywhere, any preparation.

In a pseudo-reply to other posts in this thread...

Cannibalism = not unethical if it died naturally, just unhealthy (especially organ meat). If you have to kill it first, here I would even say not universally - murder is a cultural prohibition and does not always extend beyond the in-group (As we often see in even so called "civilized" cultures.)

I'd eat songbird too :)

Edit: typo

[BigBluenoser]

65. PS... It is MORE ethical to eat dogs than cats...

Cats are pure carnivores and would require a substantial amount of feed animals if harvested commercially. Dogs are omnivores and therefore can be fed a majority plant based diet.

PS... same holds true for cannibalism. Vegetarians are much better food source than omnivore humans for the same reason :P

EDIT: I know, I know... the last bit is an old joke... but I find it funny. :D

[HuffleClaw]

63. NO

though I'd take exception to someone eating MY kitty.

[BobbyVan]

66. Dog is man's best friend. It is unethical to eat your friends. Ergo, it's unethical to eat dogs.

Cats on the other hand...

[Fox Mulder]

69. Uh, yeah.

Unless you absolutely need to eat cat and/or dog meat because there's absolutely nothing else to eat and you need it to live.

But otherwise, yes it is. Just like it's unethical to eat any kind of meat, IMO.

Edit: I don't think I ever want to hang out with anyone who voted "no" in this poll.

[Edweird]

71. How can killing and eating one non-human animal be any more or less ethical

than killing and eating any OTHER non-human animal?
I don't see ethics being an issue. I see it as purely cultural.
I eat meat, FWIW.

[KitchenWitch]

73. Is it unethical to post deliberate flamebait?

[Lil Missy]

74. Here it is unethical, not to mention extremely disturbing to me.

But it's really a cultural thing. Some cultures eat cat and dog meat. I saw a documentary on it and was absolutely ill and traumatized. And don't care to go into the details.

But in India, for example, cows are considered sacred, and they are just as traumatized about eating beef.

At a company I once worked for, a team of senior employees were charged with entertaining some consultants from India. They thought it would be funny to take them to a steakhouse for dinner. And the employees from my company all ordered steaks.

I heard about it the next day, and all the guys from India got nauseous, and one of them puked. I thought it was an incredibly rude thing to do to them.