Hong Kong - Four men who were jailed for slaughtering and eating two dogs in the first case of its kind in Hong Kong had their prison terms cut by half Thursday. The men, aged 40 to 49, were jailed for 30 days each in December after being seen by neighbours killing and then cooking two mongrels raised by one of the four men.
The admitted slaughtering dogs for food - the first time the charge has been taken to court in Hong Kong - but argued that eating dogs was traditional in China.
Their argument was rejected by Magistrate Kwok Wai-king who told them that men and dogs had a "bond of friendship" that should not be abused.
All four men immediately lodged appeals and were released on bail pending the decision by the Court of Appeal, which reduced the sentences Thursday.
In a written judgement, Judge Louis Tong said most Hong Kong people would find the men's actions unacceptable, particularly because one of the dogs was killed in a cruel manner.
However, he said as it was the first time such a case had been prosecuted in Hong Kong, it was only fair that the jail terms imposed should be relatively lenient.
Dog eating is widespread in parts of China and some South-East Asian countries but is illegal in Hong Kong, a former British colony.
