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 gripping the country.

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

Tuesday is the day 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 says Seoul is currently undergoing the longest period of time with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) since 1994.

Dog meat restaurants in Seoul say they served more customers than usual on Tuesday.