Vietnamese tourist city Hoi An pledges to phase out dog and cat meat

An estimated five million canines are consumed every year in Vietnam. - AFP

HANOI, Dec 10 (AFP): A popular Vietnamese tourist city has pledged to phase out selling cat and dog meat, officials said Friday, a first in a nation where some consider the animals a delicacy.

An estimated five million canines are consumed every year in Vietnam -- the second highest in the world behind China -- with some believing eating the meat can help dispel bad luck.