Dead Dogs and Dimwits

BBC: Dog Meat Popular in Nigeria

"Eating dog meat gives you a special protection against the most potent juju (charm)," [a seller of dog meat] claims, reeling off the benefits of dog meat. "Dog meat also improves your sex life. And if you eat dog meat, you cannot be poisoned."

Apparently, though, eating dog meat is unable to cure terminal stupidity.

Eating dog meat prevents malaria, improves libido, protects against poison, and even makes you run faster? Wow! That all sounds too good to be true! Probably because it IS too good to be true!

The doctor quoted in the article points out that these supposed virtues of dog meat are not supported by any real medical evidence. But tell that to the people who like eating dogs, and they'll smile, shake their heads, and proudly dismiss your learned opinion. For you see, although they don't have medical degrees, they do have faith. Faith, the main ingredient in religious belief, is also required for belief in superstition. Faith allows you to believe whatever you want, without having any reason to believe it.

So a veritable canine genocide will continue to take place in Nigeria, simply because ignorant people have convinced themselves that dog flesh has magically healthful properties.

Oh, and of course, it tastes good. When asked about the flavor, Mr. Nnkwo was quoted in the article as responding "Oh la la! You don't know what you are missing." He's right, I don't. I do know what he is missing, though: a moral conscience and a basic knowledge of biology.