For whatever reason, last week Britain's House of Commons decided to discuss the number of dogs killed annually in Asian countries like China (20 million), Vietnam (5 million) and South Korea (2 million).
According to VietnamNet, MPs found the practice “revolting”, however were more concerned by the fact that many of these animals are actually family pets which have been stolen and sold for meat.
When his turn came, Birmingham MP Steve McCabe spoke up and suggested that these countries were at risk of losing British tourists as a result of their dog-eating habits. VietnamNet quoted McCabe as saying: “It is probably not appropriate to think we can tell other countries what to do, but is it not reasonable to tell them what the reaction of the British public will be if the sorts of things they are doing become public knowledge?”
While it's fair to point out the issues surrounding dog meat consumption, McCabe's response was pretty scathing. “Horrific!” the MP later wrote on Twitter. “Anyone hearing this wouldn't holiday in these East Asian countries.”
The dog meat trade is not a new problem for Vietnam. Over the years, dog thieves – who are among the more hated criminals in Vietnam – have been known to steal family pets and sell them to local restaurants for meat. As a result, this lucrative industry has become dangerous not only for pet owners but also for consumers, as the origin of local dog meat is often unknown and capturing strays could lead to rabies exposure, among other diseases.
