Jean has been attacked elsewhere for publicizing this issue, on the grounds that our culture's factory farming practices are no better, and that other culture's habits are none of our business. Jean replied:

As for cultural arguments, just one final comment! I would note that slavery was/is a cultural tradition, as is/was female genital mutilation, suttee (the burning of widows in India after their husband's death- now officially illegal), foot-binding, cannibalism, drawing and quartering people, burning alleged witches, stoning adulteresses to death (not male adulterers), cutting off thieves' hands and lots of other odd practices. These traditions cannot justify cruel slaughter or confinement of any animal. The excuse is unacceptable, I think. Things are only change as people become aware and take appropriate action. Dogs have saved many human lives and they have been faithful companions since ancient times.

If you're interested, see http://www.aapn.org/Peixian2.html> for details of how the dogs are dispatched.

Well said Jean. Too many people keep missing the point which is the intent. The intent in Western cultures is to kill the animal as humanely as possible. Western cultures even have laws and penalties for killing inhumanely. Yes, there is still a lot of suffering, and some abattoir employees are callous, even cruel, but the intent is to be humane.

In some other cultures, the intent is to be as cruel as possible so that the animal will be filled with fear-generated adrenalin which some cultures believe bestows power on the eater. The intent is what horrifies and repulses animal lovers.

All meat eaters are responsible for almost 100% of the suffering of animals. The answer is to stop eating meat or animal products of any kind. But until that happens, animal-lovers have a right to find some cultural practices repugnant, even evil.