Cats and dogs off the menu in SA
 ACDT - February 18, 2004

It will soon be illegal to eat cats and dogs in South Australia.

But opponents of the plan say it is nonsense and racist.

Last night, State Parliament's Lower House passed the bill, which will take cats and dogs off the menu in South Australian homes.

But it was not without a catfight.

Greens MP Kris Hanna says the bill is racist against cultures with different eating habits.

"I think it's an appeal to this kind of racism, which is the reason this bill was introduced," Mr Hanna said.

Liberal MP Mark Brindal thinks the bill is barking up the wrong tree.

He questions why only cats and dogs are being protected.

"But I notice you haven't put guinea pigs in here and plenty of people keep guinea pigs, and it's a great delicacy in South America," Mr Brindal said.

Serving cats and dogs in restaurants is already illegal.