Pet lovers protest cats on the menu in China

A woman holding a picture of a trapped cat cries as she takes part in a protest, where animal-loving residents unfurled banners in urging a southern Chinese province to stop the "cruel slaughter" of cats for food, in Beijing, China, Thursday, Dec.18, 2008. The protesters say as many as 5,000 cats across the country, mostly strays, have been caught in the past week by traders and transported to Guangdong province _ to be killed for food.

GUANGZHOU, China (AP) -- While animal lovers in Beijing protested the killing of cats for food on Thursday, a butcher in Guangdong province - where felines are the main ingredient in a famous soup - just shrugged her shoulders and wielded her cleaver. "Cats have a strong flavor. Dogs taste much better, but if you really want cat meat, I can have it delivered by tomorrow," said the butcher, who gave only her surname, Huang.

It was just this attitude that outraged about 40 cat lovers who unfurled banners in a tearful protest outside the Guangdong government office in Beijing. Many were retirees who care for stray felines they said were being rounded up by dealers.

"We must make them correct this uncivilized behavior," said Wang Hongyao, who represented the group in submitting a letter urging the provincial government to crack down on traders and restaurants, although they were breaking no laws.

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Won't be long until the featured dish will be Americans and noodles in a spicy garlic sauce.

We know what happened to his chicken.