In Dog-eating an exaggerated myth
I categorically state that [eating dogs] is not at all a widespread Swiss habit and that the 3 per cent (that would make 130,000 Kiwis) are totally made up.
the "Kiwis" is confusing – it looks as if the author meant there were 130,000 New Zealanders, or 130,000 Kiwi birds, whereas Kiwis are the people he's addressing, and I'd be tempted to put a comma in.
However, I can't recall seeing a number written in digits with a comma after it. Is it ok to use a comma after a number written in digits?
Best Answer
There is no reason why a comma should not be placed after a number in such a situation.
makes sense assuming, perhaps facetiously, Mark may not understand what a dozen means.
However this is not what is meant in the phrase
The reference is to 3% of the population of Switzerland eating dogs. This applies to Switzerland (although it may not be true). What the writer means is that if this 3% applied to New Zealand then it would be 130,000 New Zealanders. 3% of the population of New Zealand is about 130,000. Switzerland has more people.
So what the writer means is that if the same proportion of Kiwis ate dogs, as it is suggested Swiss do, then that would be 130,000 New Zealanders.
If you look at the populations of New Zealand and Switzerland this corroborates the meaning. It could have been written much more clearly.