*** Warning: This post contains images that may be disturbing to some readers. ***
Chances are you are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the erratic and horrifying practices of dog meat in South Korea — the only country that actively breeds dogs for food. There are no effective policies regulating the cultivation or slaughter of meat dogs, and therefore no rules governing their treatment or consumption.
Korean government she has Emphasizing that dog meat is illegal, trying to sum up the lack of regulations on the issue, the Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) explains:
“It is illegal to produce and consume dog meat, but it is not against the law.”
This confusing statement is a direct result of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAF) listing dogs as “livestock”, but not Taking into account the livestock with regard to food processing. Effectively, it is illegal to breed dogs for food purposes, yet there are no laws in place to enforce it.
Since the 1988 Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, Korea, the plight of these dogs has found a solid place in the spotlight. From the time they are born, they are separated from their mothers at a very young age and raised in cages off the floor, with no food, water, or protection from the elements, and endure butchery methods of torture. In an instant, the entire world knew every aspect of this terrible fact.
One of the many organizations making a difference for these dogs is the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA). The group is solely dedicated to eradicating the dog meat trade. In conjunction with Asian Animals, Change for Animals Foundation, Soi Dog, and Humane Society International (HSI), they are trying to help dog farmers make the switch to agricultural farming.
To date, HSI has successfully assisted a number of farmers in many countries to get out of the trade. One of those farmers, Lee Tae-hyun, has been running the dog farm for 20 years. With waning interest and assistance both financial and physical from the Humane Society, he had no qualms about quitting work and placating his disaffected neighbours.
And when the 57 dogs were taken to the United States for adoption, Lee’s mother was told The Wall Street Journal She “prays” that she will live well in the United States. “The family is now safe from the greenhouses that HSI helped them acquire.
the Los Angeles Times He tells us of another example not too long ago in which the San Diego Humane Society took action abroad. They transported 29 dogs from a South Korean meat farm to San Diego, along with more than 100 others before them. The group has also compensated and supported farmers as they transitioned to growing crops.
HSI has also pulled over 100 Mastiffs, Spaniel mixes, and Chihuahuas from miserable conditions, and sent them to San Francisco to find forever homes. As in other cases, the organization persuaded the owner to close down the farm while helping him set up a more humane way of making a living.
But the story didn’t end once these puppies were rescued.
Stacy Graham, president of the Humane Society of Southwest Washington, said:
“Everything is new for them; they don’t know what rocks are, or trees or grass. They haven’t been around people so their biggest challenge and our biggest challenge is helping them understand what this new world is all about.”
Her organization currently includes more than 50 former meat breeding farm dogs. However, given their background, they need to go to private homes that are able to cater for their needs.
The work of the Humane Society of the United States and many others not only creates happy endings for hundreds of dogs once they are destined for meals, they cause many Korean citizens to turn up their noses at the idea of eating dog meat. And as the number of negative associations rise and more generations are removed from this culinary market, scrutiny surrounding the trade is emerging from all sides. Dissenting Korean individuals praise those who surrender their dogs, pointing to one farmer in particular who “has announced his intention to move into cranberry farming.”
Now with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Seoul again, rescue organizations are reaching out to more farmers with the same goal in mind.
People want these dogs safe in homes and away from street markets across East Asia – out of cramped metal cages and always with food, water and veterinary care available. The more the world learns about the dog meat farming industry, the more people will advocate for participating nations to drop these “policy loopholes” once and for all.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Humane Society of the United States, One Green Planet, San Francisco SPCA, Los Angeles Times, Daily Mail, Animal Rights Korea
