Cat and dog stew keeps Chinese warm

Press, 10 January 1987, Page 7

Cat and dog stew keeps Chinese warm

NZPA Hong Kong Many local Chinese in this British colony are willing to risk jail to continue a Chinese tradition of eating exotic animals, ranging from pangolin (scaly anteater) to owls, for winter warmth or greater virility. As winter approaches, cat and dog stew or cooked pangolin become increasingly popular as

"po pun,” dishes to combat the cold and stimulate the body or give added strength and agility, are in demand. Deer and turtle penises, cockerel testicles and giant water turtles are also in demand for their believed aphrodisiac qualities and, in the case of the turtles, for an improved complexion. Other specialist foods include snakes — snake soup is a favourite winter warmer — rice birds and quails for vitality, civet cat, and owls, believed to increase wisdom. They are steamed, fried, boiled, stewed or barbecued and seasoned with Chinese herbs — in spite of the import of cat and dog meat and many other endangered species being banned, and carrying a penalty of a fine of up to SHKSOOO ($NZ1237.52) or a sixmonth jail term. Many are willing to risk it, however, although most such dishes are prepared in the privacy of people’s homes rather than in restaurants. A 35-year-old construction worker, who asked not to be named, acknowledged that he had at-

tended a dog meat feast in a friend’s house in a village in the New Territories on the Hong Kong mainland last week. Others are apparently equally unconcerned about the possible penalty for protecting the body against the winter chills. There was a sharp rise in the illegal import of cat and dog meat, and other animals, last month, according to official figures. Sixty-four cases involving people returning from China were recorded during the month, 26 of them cat and dog meat, six times more than in October, 1985. The number of illegal imports of animals for the table detected in 1985 was only 56. In addition to cats and dogs destined for the table, the October cases included pangolins, owls, turtles, pythons, civet cats, and kestrels, otters and buzzards, the last three items valued for giving strength and agility. An official attributed the rise in illegal animal imports to the approach of winter, and the availability of the items across the border in China.