The Dalai Lama was in France and was being recieved by Chirac for dinner. They prepared a specialty Vegetarian meal for him, but he asked to be served the same food as everyone else, instead. The Dalai Lama's money quote: "I'm a monk, not a vegetarian!" I'm amazed, if that is true. The whole mission of Buddha was to stop animal killing (and eating) in the name of religion. At the time Buddha came, many people in India were using the excuse of animal sacrifice (allowable in certain rituals to the demigods) to wantonly kill and eat animals. So Buddha's mission was to stop the killing and eating of animals, especially in the name of following religious rituals. So for a follower of Buddha to eat meat is totally hypocritical. I do hope this isn't true....
But it isn't rare for followers of various religions to not actually follow the rules, unfortunately.
Actually the Buddhist/Vegetarian connection is largely a myth. While many Buddhists are vegetarians, Buddhist scripture does not mention vegetarianism:
http://www.emahofoundation.org/teachings/zr_q&a.htm Q: I am new to Buddhism and would like to know if it is necessary to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist?
Rinpoche: It is not a must to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist. It is a matter of personal choice. Buddhist scripture is unclear regarding the matter, and it has been a topic of debate for many. For monks and nuns, it has always been customary to accept and eat anything that people offer. In addition, in many parts of Tibet, it is difficult or impossible to grow crops, so people's survival depends on protein from yaks and sheep. It is not appropriate to order that an animal be killed just for food. Rather, it is important to use all of the animal so as not waste it. If you eat meat, it is good to take a moment to recognize that you are eating a sentient being, remember that animal with kindness, and pray that the sentient being gets a good rebirth.
(from the about page: Ven. ZaChoeje Rinpoche is Emaho's spiritual advisor. In 1984 His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama recognized him as the sixth reincarnation of ZaChoeje Rinpoche, one of the highest Buddhist Lamas of Eastern Tibet. At the age of 16, Rinpoche entered Drepung Loseling Monastery and after 10 years of studies, graduated with the esteemed Geshe Lharampa degree, equal to a Ph.D suma cum laude in Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche then entered the Gyumed Tantric Monastery for further study.)
The whole mission of Buddha was to stop animal killing (and eating) in the name of religion . . . Wrong. The whole mission of Buddha was to teach people how to overcome their suffering in this lifetime and to elevate their life condition in this lifetime.
It is not logical to think a religion could endure for roughly 5,000 years on the premise that it is about preventing animal killing. If this was true then PETA should be a flourishing religion in another 5,000 years. No matter how hard they try, I don't think they appeal to much more than about 12 people.
On the issue of it being a Buddhist "rule" that a buddhist cannot eat meat. This is not true either. The common practice for Buddhists is that some are vegatarians and some are omnivores, but most strive to avoid gluttony or excessive eating or waste of food. This is not a scripture, but more typically the culture or lifestyle of Buddhism.