An Animals Asia investigation, Report No.4, Survey of public attitudes to dog and cat eating in China June 2015 1
Survey of public attitudes to dog and cat eating in China The health risk associated with consuming is the biggest concern for respondents and nearly half believe that killing cats and dogs for their should be illegal. Introducing the survey In 2012, Animals Asia commissioned Horizon Research Consultancy Group (Guangzhou) to undertake a survey to gauge attitudes to dog and cat eating among the Chinese public. This report is the fourth of a series of four Animals Asia reports into the dog and cat industry in China. Our groundbreaking research over four years has exposed the horrifying reality of a trade riddled with crime and extreme cruelty. Sadly the cat/dog issue is not a big priority in China, and little research or investigation has previously been conducted into the industry. In 2011, we launched a full-scale, four-year study into all aspects of the trade. Our research included multiple secret investigations, market surveys and interviews with local NGOs, community s, the authorities and people in the trade. Compiling and analysing this information has taken much time and many resources, and we are now in a position to release the reports. We wanted to understand: The motives and behaviour behind the consumption of dog and cat ; The characteristics of consumers, including gender, age and location; The difference between those who do and those who don t eat ; How the public views the consumption of dogs and cats. Nineteen cities The survey covered 19 Chinese cities, which were categorised as either A-class or B-class. (where dog consumption is more common) Yulin (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Kaiping (Guangdong Province), Jinhua (Zhejiang Province), Yanji (Jilin Province), Harbin (Heilongjiang Province), Fushun (Liaoning Province) (where dog consumption is rare): Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), Shenzhen (Guangdong Province), Fuzhou (Fujian Province), Wuhan (Hubei Province), Chengdu (Sichuan Province), Zhengzhou (Henan Province), Xi an (Shanxi Province), Baoding (Hebei Province), Jiujiang (Jiangxi Province), Dali (Yunnan Province), Baotou (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) We included more than in the survey because there are more than in China and our aim was to gain a more representative picture of the true situation for dogs throughout the country. 2
Respondents were local residents aged 18-65 who had lived in their city for at least two years. The male/female ratio was close to 1:1. Respondents were interviewed face to face and the interviewer recorded their answers in a formal questionnaire. A total of 3,221 valid questionnaires were collected 1,161 from and 2,060 from. Notes on content Groups that eat are defined as those that have eaten cat or dog in the past two years (January 1, 2010 to January 3, 2012); Groups that don t eat are defined as those that haven t eaten it in the past two years (January 1, 2010 to January 3, 2012). Who eats dog? (By gender) Survey results show that far fewer women than men eat dog in both A and. (Fig. 1) 39.0 59.6 70.0 87.1 61.0 Male 40.4 Female Don t eat dog Eat dog 30.0 Male 12.9 Female Don t eat dog Eat dog Fig.1 Sex-specific comparison (%) N 1 2 3 Is it normal to eat dog and cat in China? The survey shows that the consumption of is not mainstream behaviour in China. In, where it is not common, less than a quarter (21.55%) of respondents had eaten dog in the previous two years, and just 1.7% had eaten cat. Even in the where the practice is common, nearly half of respondents had not consumed cat or dog in the two-year period. (Fig. 2) (N=1161) (N=2060) Groups that eat cat 6.55% Groups that eat cat 1.70% 51.2% Groups that eat dog 50.65% Eaten dog only 44.62% Eaten both 6.03% Eaten cat only 0.52% 21.55% Groups that eat dog 21.12% Eaten dog only 19.85% Eaten both 1.26% Eaten cat only 0.44% 48.8% Not eaten dog 48.8% 78.45% Not eaten dog 78.45% Fig. 2 Proportion of the public that have eaten cat or dog in the past two years 3
Why do people eat dog? (Fig. 3, 4) The taste and a belief in its nutritional value are the primary reasons respondents gave for eating dog. In A-class Cities, the Top 3 motivations are: Delicious taste, local tradition and food culture, and because colleagues eat it. In B-class Cities, the Top 3 are: Delicious taste, nutrition and nourishment, and because colleagues eat It. 10.5 12.1 12.6 16.2 21.1 21.9 25.2 31.5 7.1 11.0 6.7 13.6 33.3 16.8 20.0 4.8 Aphrodisiac Unknow They are the same as livestock animals To be sociable For health reasons Because my family does Because colleagues do Chinese tradition Main reason why people in A class cities eat dog Influenced by local culture Influenced by family Influenced by colleagues For its good taste To strengthen body Common Reason 46.6 43.9 For taste Main reason why people in B class cities eat dog Fig. 3 Motivation for eating dog (%) N=1023 Fig. 4 Common reasons for eating dog How often is dog eaten? In general, the Chinese public do not eat dog frequently. In, over 70% respondents ate it only once or twice a year, while in in, the frequency was higher. (Fig 5) 0.6 7.8 1.6 15.1 20.7 21.4 24.7 8.0 28.7 Daily Weekly Every 3 months Monthly Fig. 5 Frequency of eating dog (%) N=534, N=490 46.6 Every 6 months Yearly 24.8 4
On what occasion is dog eaten? In both and, dog is most commonly eaten at dinners with friends (over 60%). The percentage of home-cooked meals is low, which shows that dog is not a common family food. (Fig. 6) Respondents could choose more than one option. 12.8 20.6 5.5 28.2 12.2 Business dinner 29.6 17.9 23.6 Home cooked meals Special season (eg. summer, autumn or festivals Fig. 6 When is dog eaten? (%) N=1023 64.1 63.8 Family dinner Friend s dinner Understanding of emotions Over half of respondents agreed that cats and dogs had emotions and the capacity for feelings, including fear, hunger, pain, anger and thirst. Most respondents (more than 60%) thought cats and dogs could feel fear. In general, these respondents did not eat cats and dogs, and females were more likely than males to recognise that cats and dogs had feelings. (Fig. 7) Eat N=594; not eat N = 567 Eat N=444; not eat N = 1616 Fear 66.2 65.3 Fear 61.0 75.1 Hunger 57.6 58.2 Hunger 50.9 64.9 Pain 56.7 51.9 Pain 45.3 63.9 Anger 53.7 51.0 Anger 44.1 57.4 Thirst 52.2 50.8 Thirst 43.0 56.3 Happiness Sadness Discomfort 48.7 48.5 48.3 45.3 45.5 45.1 Discomfort Sadness Excitement 38.1 49.4 37.6 52.7 35.1 55.4 Fig. 7 Public s understanding of emotion Affection 43.6 44.4 Affection 37.2 50.4 Excitement 42.9 42.7 Happiness 41.4 52.4 Despair 38.9 42.5 Despair 36.5 48.4 Boredom 29.8 30.7 Boredom 21.6 37.9 Unknown 6.4 2.1 Unknown 6.5 2.8 eaten both dog and cat eaten both dog and cat Haven t eaten dog or cat Haven t eaten dog or cat 5
Awareness of how cats and dogs are treated during transportation Over 50% of respondents were aware that dogs and cats suffered ill-treatment during transportation cramped conditions, dehydration, malnutrition, injury and even death from being thrown from the trucks and fighting with other dogs. (Fig. 8, 9) Animals die due to diseasehunger 64.1 64.9 Animals fight and kill/inflict wounds on each other 65.3 64.7 Animals suffer from dehydration and/or malnutrition Animals are piled on top of each other with no room to move Animals receive bone fractures and breaks from being thrown off trucks Pregnant animals give birth to their young in the cage Animals are provided with food and water during their journey Animals are protected from the weather 36.9 32.3 37.4 23.5 35.4 23.3 46.1 50.4 59.8 58.6 58.1 58.2 Fig. 8 Understanding of the treatment received by cats and dogs during transport Eat N=594 Not eat N=567 Animals are provided with their own cages 18.7 13.8 Unknown 2.5 0.7 eaten both dog and cat haven t eaten dog or cat Animals die due to diseasehunger 53.6 65.2 Animals fight and kill/inflict wounds on each other 60.6 66.7 Animals suffer from dehydration and/or malnutrition Animals are piled on top of each other with no room to move Animals receive bone fractures and breaks from being thrown off trucks Pregnant animals give birth to their young in the cage Animals are provided with food and water during their journey Animals are protected from the weather 32.2 36.0 32.9 43.8 42.1 39.5 45.7 54.0 51.8 60.2 58.8 73.4 Fig. 9 Understanding of the treatment received by cats and dogs during transport Eat N=444 Not eat N=1616 Animals are provided with their own cages 12.8 22.0 Unknown 2.5 1.2 eaten both dog and cat haven t eaten dog or cat 6
Attitudes to eating Results show that the public in both A-class and have similar attitudes to dog and cat eating, however there are some differences between those who eat and those who don t. (Fig. 10). These questions are deliberately provocative in some cases for example assessing whether respondents feel that dogs and cats are different from other animals reared for food, and whether dogs and cats are viewed differently from companion dogs and cats. This allows responses to be assessed in terms of future public education and advertising campaigns. Percentage who agree with statements Do not eat cats and dogs Eat cats and dogs Similar attitude, mostly agree Some dispute Both companion dogs and cats and dogs and cats should be protected by law. It is unacceptable to eat dogs and cats if they are abused or tortured during feeding and slaughtering. Dogs and cats are companion animals and cannot morally be eaten. Chinese people are increasingly opposed to eating. Eating is different from eating pork, beef and mutton. Cats and dogs kept as pets are different from those that are eaten. Over 90% Around 80% Around 80% Over 70% Around 90% Over 60% Over 80% Over 60% Over 70% Over 70% Over 50% Over 60% Big dispute, opposite attitude There is nothing wrong with eating cat or dog. Over 20% Over 60% Eating is a part of Chinese food culture. Over 20% Nearly 60% Cats and dogs kept as pets are different from those that are eaten. Dogs and cats are companion animals and cannot be eaten morally. There is nothing wrong with eating cat and dog. Eating is a part of Chinese food culture. It is unacceptable to eat dogs and cats if they are abused or tortured during feeding and slaughtering. Both companion dogs and cats and dogs and cats should be protected by law. Eating is different from eating pork, beef and mutton. Chinese people are increasingly opposed to eating. Fig. 10 Public s views on eating cats and dogs 7
Reasons for not eating Among those who hadn t eaten in the past two years, more than 70% had never eaten it; nearly 30% had eaten cat or dog before, but not in the past two years (Fig. 11). The reason respondents in both A and B-class cities changed their minds was similar to those who had never eaten. The top three reasons are: it s cruel, they are companion animals not food, and it s unsanitary (Fig. 12). 71.8 Never Eaten previously, do not eat now 74.2 28.2 25.8 Never Eaten previously, do not eat now Fig. 11 Previous eating habits of those who do not eat cat and dog N=567; N=1616 I think it is cruel 33.1 38.6 They are companion animals and not food animals 32.5 37.9 It is unsanitary 29.4 36.0 Other It s illegal to eat them as most are stolen animals 13.8 14.1 31.3 18.2 Fig. 12 Reasons for stopping eating Colleagues or family advise against it Charity organizations influence Religious reasons 7.5 7.4 4.4 7.0 6.3 3.6 Concerns about consumption 1. A vast majority of respondents had concerns about eating. Respondents in were more worried that those in, and those who ate were more worried than those who did not. (Fig. 13) 87.9 94.4 94.0 86.4 94.0 92.0 10.8 13.6 6.0 8.0 12.1 5.6 Eat cat and dog Don t Eat Eat cat and dog Don t Eat Have many concerns Have no concerns Have many concerns No concerns Have many concerns No concerns Fig. 13 How concern about eating is influencing behavior (%) 8
2. The top 3 concerns of both A and B-class city respondents related to health and hygiene the risk of unquarantined carrying pathogens, the feeding environment and market not being hygienic, and cats and dogs being poisoned before being put on the dining-table. (Fig. 14) Meat does not go through any inspection and quarantine 39.4 48.7 Unsanitary conditions on farms and in markets Some are poisoned animals Many are stray animals with potential disease 11.7 7.1 15.8 11.1 11.8 19.2 Meat may contain antibiotics and other drugs hazardous to human health The animals are slaughtered inhumanely Many are stolen pets 3.4 2.3 5.6 5.3 4.9 2.3 Fig. 14 Common concerns about consumption (%) Negative impact on national identity 3.1 2.1 The animals are raised inhumanely The animals are transported inhumanely 2.4 1.3 1.9 0.8 3. These concerns impact the attitude and behaviour of around 80% of respondents, and they have a great impact on 50%. (Fig. 15) Large influence 52.2 46.4 Some influence 28.3 32.0 Small influence No influence 6.0 7.7 7.2 9.9 Fig. 15 Affect of concerns on consumption (%) Not sure 6.3 4.0 Looking ahead Respondents in were 20% more likely not to eat in the future than respondents in. More than 30% of respondents in and more than 40% of respondents in B-class cities, who had eaten, were unwilling to eat it again. Very few respondents who did not eat cat and dog intended to eat it in the future. (Fig. 16) 34.3 41.2 63.7 65.7 83.5 94.5 95.1 58.8 Fig. 16 Future consumption patterns (%) 36.3 16.5 5.5 4.9 General Eat cat and dog Don t eat General Eat cat and dog Don t eat No Yes No Yes 9
How consumers are viewed Respondents in both A & who did not eat generally shared the same attitudes towards others eating. More than 50% disagreed with the practice, and more than 30% thought it was none of their business. Only around 1% thought it was fine for others to eat dog and cat. (Fig. 17) 52.6 59.1 0.9 1.7 36.1 30.5 10.4 8.7 Fig. 17 Attitudes of non-consumers towards those who eat (%) Agree Disagree None of my business Not sure Should killing cats and dogs for food be illegal? As a whole, more than 46% of respondents agreed that killing cats and dogs for should be illegal. A quarter were neutral, while nearly 30% thought it should be legal. In the s that ate cats and dogs, over 40% thought it should remain legal, over 20% thought it should be illegal and more than 20% were neutral. But of the s that didn t eat cats and dogs, nearly 60% thought it should be illegal, just over 10% disagreed, while more than 20% were neutral. (Fig 18) 24.7 26.6 22.8 25.9 28.6 25.1 28.9 11.8 22.7 16.5 46.4 45.1 65.4 51.4 45.3 58.4 Fig. 18 Should killing cats and dogs for food be illegal? (%) 28.3 26.1 General Eat cat and dog Don t eat cat and dog General Eat cat and dog Don t eat cat and dog Not sure No Yes Not sure No Yes Main conclusions of the research 1. Eating is not a regular nationwide practice and both the amount consumed and frequency of these meals are low considering the population at large. Eating is not a universal behaviour nationwide. In general cities, only 20% of respondents had eaten dog in the past two years, while just 1.7% had eaten cat ; within this non-mainstream minority, more than 70% had eaten cat or dog just once or twice a year. Even in cities with the habit of eating cats and dogs, almost half of respondents had not eaten cats or dogs in the past two years, and of those who had, half had eaten it only once or twice a year. 2. The taste and perceived nutritive value are the primary reasons for eating dog. The taste of food and the generally believed nutritive value are the most primary reasons that attract the general public to eat dog. 10
3. Dog and cat is not a common family food. Over 60% of respondents ate cat or dog at gatherings with friends; respondents rarely ate a homecooked meal of dog or cat with their families and dog cannot be considered a staple diet or common family meal. 4. Women are far less likely to eat dog and cat than men. 5. 90% of all respondents have concerns about eating dogs and cats. The most common concerns were hygiene and health ( without quarantine could carry pathogens, markets were not hygienic, and the cats and dogs could have been poisoned). A total of 80% of the public believed that these concerns influenced the public s attitudes towards cat or dog consumption and 50% thought they had a great impact on attitudes. Among respondents who ate cats and dogs, more than 30% said they no longer would. Of respondents who did not eat, more than 70% had never eaten it, while nearly 30% had eaten it in the past. Both gave similar responses, saying it was too cruel, it was unsanitary, and dogs and cats were friends, not food. 6. Over 50% agree that cats and dogs have emotions and feelings, and that they suffer during transportation. Most respondents agreed that cats and dogs had emotions and feelings, including fear, hunger, pain, anger and thirst. More than 60% thought cats and dogs could feel fear. Females and those who don t eat cats and dogs were more likely to know that cats and dogs had emotions and feelings. Over 50% were aware that dogs and cats suffered ill-treatment during transportation (dehydration and malnutrition; illness; injury or death through fighting; being crowded together without space; being dropped from the truck and injured, including suffering fractures). 7. Pet dogs and cats and dogs and cats should be treated the same. Most respondents agreed that all cats and dogs should be treated equally and protected by animal welfare legislation; if cats and dogs are ill-treated during captivity, transportation or slaughter, consumption is unacceptable; dogs and cats are companion animals, eating them is morally unacceptable; Those who ate cats and dogs and those who didn t, disagreed over the points there is nothing wrong with eating cats and dogs and eating cats and dogs is part of Chinese food culture. 8. Nearly half of all respondents believe that killing dogs or cats for consumption should be illegal. Nearly 30% thought that killing cats and dogs for their should remain legal and the rest were neutral. On this point, those who eat cats or dogs and those who don t have the opposite attitude, over 40% of those who ate said it should be legal, while over 20% thought it should be illegal, and more than 20% were neutral. Nearly 60% of those who didn t eat dog and cat thought the practice should be illegal, over 10% disagreed, and over 20% were neutral. 9. Among those who do not eat cat or dog, over half are against others eating it. Over 30% of those who don t consumed cat/dog thought it was none of their business if others ate it, and just 1% said it was people s right to eat if they wished. 11