Dogs for dinner

Packed more than a dozen to a cage, these dogs are bound for the slaughter.

Once considered food fit for the rural poor, Vietnam's appetite for dog meat is growing.

Although there are no official figures, industry and animal rights groups estimate the country consumes around five million dogs a year.

Animal rights advocates describe unsanitary and inhumane conditions.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL ASIA, TUAN BENDIXSEN, SAYING:

"The dogs are packed so tightly in the cage for transport and after that the dogs had to endure 4 to 5 days on the road without any food or water, without any veterinary treatments. And when they get to the final destination, the slaughter of the dogs, when the dogs are hit over the head with a club or bat in front of other dogs, therefore we see that this trade is very inhumane and very cruel."

Others defend the culinary tradition.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RESTAURANT'S FREQUENT CUSTOMER, DOAI, SAYING:

"The