Do Asians Eat Dogs? – Next GenerAsian

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the jokes on dog-eating Asians (and also on bat-eating) have seen new life. Most of us view these jokes with righteous indignation as we have simply never eaten dogs, myself included. But where do these stereotypes and jokes originate from? And how does racism cloud discussions of such practices?

Dogs in Chinese Households

According to archaeological evidence, dogs have been a part of Chinese households for close to 7 millennia. In Chinese mythology, the ruler Fu Xi was said to have domesticated six wild animals, including the dog. Back then, dogs were primarily used in hunting. But as human lifestyle changed to be more sedentary and agriculture-focused, dogs became less important for hunting. However, they were still kept around as guardians due to their loyalty.

Dogs in Chinese History and Culture

In the San Zi Jing (三字经), an old classic text used to educate children beginning in the 13th-century lists dogs as one of the six animals raised by humans. Many believe that means the six animals are thus sources of food.

But as the technology for agriculture and meal preferences changed, cows, sheeps, chickens, and lamb became the meat of choice in China.

In the past (before the Qin and Han dynasties), living conditions and income were generally insufficient. With poor farming techniques combined with the disorder of war, meat was a rare commodity. As a result, guard dogs that died of old age or illness could not be wasted. They went into feeding the thrifty people.

There exists a false belief that dogs are a special delicacy, but that is not the case. This is seen in the meat selection for sacrificial offerings. For the fanciest royal ceremonies, a cow or a horse would be chosen as a tribute (which is similar to Western sacrificial offerings). A pig and a sheep would also be acceptable for normal occasions. Commoners would usually choose pork, chicken, or fish. Dogs were rarely used. It would be seen as disrespectful, as dog meat was viewed as tainted.

The decline of dog eating was evident after the Han dynasty. The Han dynasty significantly widened the influence of Taoism. Taoism believed that dogs were unclean and would derail from the leading of an uncomplicated life. This trend was accelerated in the Tang and Song dynasty, as meat variety increased and Buddhism’s reincarnation belief solidified. Anecdotes on loyal dogs also spread, and more people viewed dogs as a permanent, steady companion.

Many minorities in China also view dog eating as unclean or taboo. Examples would include Muslims, the Manchus, the Mongols, and the Tibetans. There exists little historical evidence that even the Zhuang people of Guangxi (where the infamous Yulin dog-meat festival occurs) were fans of dog-eating.

Dogs in Recent History

During the Cultural Revolution, dogs were banned as pets. Nowadays, dog ownership is quite popular among the burgeoning Chinese middle-class workers. There are 62 million dogs registered as pets in China. Many Chinese celebrities, animal activists, and youths are increasingly vocal against dog-eating festivals and the act in general, especially online.

So… do Asians Eat Dogs?

If this stereotype is seen as profoundly untrue by so many Asians, how did it even come about?

The truth is this stereotype is not entirely fictitious. It happens in several places around the world, more commonly in China, Vietnam, Korea, Nigeria, and Switzerland.

The most famous example would be the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

The Yulin Dog Meat Festival/ The Lychee and Dog Meat Festival

The event is held in Guangxi, China, annually. It started in 2009 to mark the summer solstice. It is presumably also a way to attract tourists from locally and abroad.

Guangxi is a less affluent area in China, and dog eating can be traced back 400 years in that area. In China, local government officials have to answer their superiors if their GDP growth is not up to par. This is a problem for officials of poor or rural regions, such as Yulin. Yulin has little involvement in mainstream Chinese culture and no historical figures or events to grow tourism around. This can lead to questionable and reprehensible schemes and ideas, such as the Yulin Dog Meat Festival. There is lax action on the municipal government’s part due to the buzz the Festival brings in. To make money, the Festival tries to advertise itself as a traditional, established event and frames dog meat as a delicacy, in order to try and legitimize themselves. These statements are untrue but are often eaten up by journalists with an agenda.

The Real Problem with Dog-Eating

Poor GDP growth is no excuse for blatant and horrific acts of animal abuse. Dr. Peter Li, HSI’s China policy specialist, has called the Festival “a bloody spectacle [which] does not reflect the mood or eating habits of the Chinese people”.

Organizers claim they farm dogs to be eaten, but the reality is that many dogs are stolen off the streets and from owners to be sold in the Festival. Extreme animal cruelty also happens, with dogs being tortured and cooked alive, supposedly to better their taste. They are kept in cramped, unsanitary cages. A simple search (not recommended) of “Yulin” will show gory and saddening pictures of the cruel dog trade in action.

Stopping the Dog Trade

Already, dog meat is banned in Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The Yulin government has removed official support for the event in 2014. However, the Yulin Municipal Government has stated that it is unable to stop these festivals, as they are supposedly unofficial events.

This stands in contrast to the sentiments on the ground at Yulin. A 2017 survey showed how almost 3 quarters of people in Yulin do not regularly eat dog meat, despite traders’ intense effort to promote it. In 2016, a nationwide survey shows that 64% of people wanted the festival to be shut down, and 69.5 percent have never eaten dog meat. The Yulin police also erected roadblock checkpoints in 2016 to stop vehicles bringing dogs into the city. Although these roadblocks were set up too late to stop many trucks, they were a significant act against animal cruelty. This clearly dispels the notion that dog meat is a staple for the Chinese, as a great majority of them do not actually eat meat. In fact, they actually oppose the dog trade.

During the pandemic, the government has come out to formally recognized dogs as companions instead of livestock. This has given hope to animal activists, who hope for more formal and resolute action.

It is important to note that the Festival is only 0.01% of the Chinese dog trade. In total, about 10 million dogs are killed for their meat in China although the number is declining each year. Even if the Festival is shut down, more will need to be done to end animal cruelty in China and around the globe.

Addressing the Issue without Racism

There is nothing worse than generalization when trying to solve a problem. As mentioned above, dog eating occurs in many countries. Thus, weaponizing dog eating as uniquely Asian would be highly problematic, racist, and downright inaccurate. Worse still, it can erase the efforts put forth by local groups to solve the issue. One example would be the Beijing Mothers Against Animal Cruelty.

News corporations might associate these behaviours to one race or nationality only in order to maximize sensationalism and profits. However, it is crucial that we do not fall prey to racist thoughts and beliefs instead of focusing on the real issue.

The West historically exaggerates the extent to which dog eating occurs and often ignores the poor economic circumstances that inspire it. Their primary focus is on the act of dog eating and less on the cruelty that surrounds it. They do this to reinforce the idea of Chinese people as uncivilised barbarians, as the West perceives dogs as “man’s best friend”. Using the emotional connotations many associate with their pets, many come to believe all Chinese people are heartless or cruel.

One way to rectify this is through constant education and self-reminders. We should remember not to judge others through the Western lens of morality, as the history and culture of people in different countries will inevitably affect their behaviour.

All in all, the good and the bad exist across racial, national, and ethnic lines.

Animal Abuse

Most of us might feel powerless to help dogs in China, but we can still do much to help the animals in our vicinity. Animal cruelty is not confined to dogs or Asia. For example, many farm animals often suffer in overcrowded factory farms. Hence, we can do some research on our own local farms and livestock as well as volunteering with animal rights organizations near us.

There are also links attached to some petitions and informational links.