SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Some South Koreans are easing the "Dog Days of Summer" by embracing a tradition of eating dog meat to help survive a heat wave.

Animal-rights activists, meanwhile, packed themselves into wire cages to protest the eating of dogs.

South Koreans traditionally eat dog meat and other foods that they believe will help ease the heat by increasing their stamina.

The Yonhap news agency said Seoul recently went through the longest period of time with temperatures above 95º Fahrenheit since 1994.

Dog meat restaurants in Seoul said they served more customers than usual.