The debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump left many titles and commentsbut one of the most notable moments was Donald Trump’s statement that in cities like Springfield, Illinois Migrants eat dogs and cats.
Trump, at one point in the debate, linked to the immigration problem with a comment in which he stated that in the United States, immigrants ate people’s dogs, cats and pets.
“A problem and a shame”
Specifically, Trump said, in response to Kamala Harris’ gestures of disbelief, the following: “Look at what’s happening in cities and all across the United States, we’re not just talking about Springfield, in many cities, they don’t want to talk about it, because This is a problem and it’s a shame… In Springfield, they eat dogs, they eat cats, they eat the pets of the people who live there, and that’s what’s happening in this country… What a shame.
This intervention has rekindled the debate on the reality of these bold claims and has increased curiosity about whether the practice of cynophagiathe consumption of dog meat or other animals considered as companions or pets.
The practice of cynophagy
Cynophagia or dog meat consumption It is a rare practice in current Western societies (except in cases of crisis or shortage) while it has more roots in some Eastern cultures after the discovery that the inhabitants of Atapuerca (Burgos) consumed this type of protein.
The Complutense University of Madrid then pointed out that “a study published in the international journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences carried out by a group of researchers from the EIA confirms that the consumption of dog It was practiced among the inhabitants of El Portalón de la Cueva Mayor de Atapuerca. over a long period from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.
Countries where dog meat is consumed
Coming out of human prehistory, currently, the practice of eating dogs This practice is considered illegal in many countries or culturally unacceptable. However, in some parts of the world dog meat is still consumed and there are even specific farms where several generations have worked in its production.
Country where we know that People who eat dog meat are China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia. In these countries, dogs and cats continue to appear on restaurant menus and are regularly served in Asian dishes. In Korea, cat meat is boiled and also used as a tonic and folk remedy for neuralgia and arthritis.
Not only in Asia
Outside Asia, Mexico, Slovakia, Siberia, Polynesia, Alaska and Greenland They prepare their plates of dog sausages and they cook their cats. For various cities of SiberiaFor example, dogs have always been a source of food aid in emergency situations.
It should be noted that in many of these countries, Dog meat consumption is declining due to growing animal welfare and public health concerns. Additionally, some governments have implemented laws to ban or restrict the sale and consumption of dog meat.
The Indonesian example
For example, in July 2023, extreme menus with dog and cat meat, as well as rats, snakes and monkeys at the Tomohon market on the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia). Convinced by the animal rights association Humane Society International (HSI), the mayor of Tomohon promulgated a law banning this trade on the market.
According to a report published in February 2021 by Four Paws, a global animal protection organization, Up to 30 million dogs and cats are trafficked each year in Asia.
Ban in Korea
Animal protection associations denounce the fact that dogs are raised in cages, with almost no food or waterin deplorable conditions and are sacrificed by electrocution.
These are stray animals captured in the street or animals stolen from their owners. Its meat is appreciated for its nutritional value. and its calorie content, especially during the winter months.
Earlier this year, South Korea’s parliament approved a ban on the consumption of dog meat, a market that includes some 1,150 dog farms. dogs intended for human consumption34 slaughterers, 219 distributors and about 1,600 restaurants include dog meat dishes on their menus, according to government data.
What’s happening in Spain?
Leaving aside the controversy over dogs, cats and immigration during the US presidential debate between Trump and Harris, one might wonder if it is legal to eat dog meat in Spain. The answer is no. It is not legal to euthanize this animal. eat their meat in our country.
The 2023 reform of the Penal Code proposes double maximum penaltiesso that the penalty for the death of a domestic animal would be 12 to 24 months in prison (or a fine of 18 to 24 months), and if two aggravating circumstances come together, it could be increased to 36 months (three years) in prison.
