Countries that eat dog

Preparing dog meat in Vietnam. (Reuters.)

Grossed out at the thought of eating dog?

Serving up a dish of man's best friend is a cultural taboo in the U.S. that would bring PETA protestors to your doorstep faster than you say bow wow.  But while only only a handful of states that actually have laws on the books that ban the practice, in many states, like Pennsylvania for example, it's still legal to sell and eat dogs and cats.

Yet, in some parts of the world, these animals are often on the menu. If you don't fancy trying a meat that could have been a cuddly pet, proceed with caution when exploring local dishes in the following countries.

Dogs for sale at meat market in before dog meat festival in Yulin. (Reuters)

1. China

Dog meat has long history in Chinese cuisine and the practice of cooking with it continues today in many regions. While the country has at time curtailed its sale (the government banned the sale of dog meat at local restaurants during the Beijing Olympics), it's still common to see dog hanging in the country's many wet markets.

2. Nigeria

Dog meat is a common dish in this West African nation. Some believe that eating dog helps build immunity to disease. People have reportedly been gorging on suya, grilled meat often made from dog, to protect against the Ebola outbreak, despite health official warnings. It's also believed that eating dog may also improve one's sex life.

3. Arctic and Antarctic

While dogs are usually used for sledding through the icy tundra, when the meat supply is running low those that live in the Arctic, Greenland and other cold-climate countries will turn to dog meat as a source of protein.

Slaughtered dogs are prepared for sale in Duong Noi, a small village in Vietnam. (Reuters)

4. Vietnam

Dog eating a common practice in many Vietnamese homes and restaurants. "Dog is the go-to dish in Vietnam for drinking parties, family reunions and special occasions," according to the Guardian. Unfortunately, demand for the meat has gotten so high that an underground smuggling operation out of Thailand has been snatching pets and street dogs to sell on the lucrative meat market.

5. Switzerland

While many people often associate eating dogs with Asian or African cuisine, the practice is still common among farmers in Appenzell and St. Gallen districts of the country. The practice is legal as long as the animal is killed humanely and the meat is not sold for commercial purposes.

6. Indonesia

While dog is considered taboo to eat (along with pigs) in this predominantly Muslim country, the meat is consumed at special occasions such as weddings or holidays.

A woman prepares a dish with dog meat for her restaurant in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo)

7. South Korea

Dog meat was once a popular meat in South Korea, but the practice has fallen out of favor with younger generations who prefer to keep dogs as pets, reports CTV.  The government has neither made its sale legal or explicitly banned it under South Korean laws.  It's estimated that between 2 million and 2.5 million dogs are still consumed in South Korea each year.