People in India think we're barbaric because we eat cows. Practicing Jews and Muslims are appalled that we would eat pigs. In SEAsia, dogs are a food source. We may not like it, but it is what it is. ANd for all those bleeding hearts out there, if they were faced with the option of butchering and eating their dog or letting their children starve to death, what choice do you think they would make? Wait, don't answer that...it may not be what I would expect.
Yes, they're not. In some ways, they're better!