OIPA has learned that two million South Korean dogs are electrocuted, strangled, or bludgeoned to death each year. Then they’re boiled, skinned, browned by a torch, chopped up and eaten.
Recently OIPA closed the online petition directed to Korean authorities urging them to stop the government’s unfortunate and ill-judged attempts to legalize the dog meat trade.
During the past months over 30.000 signatures have been collected, people from all over the world have shown their support for these animals.
The signatures will be sent to “International Aid for Korean Animals” – founded by Kyenan Kum in 1997 for the purpose of establishing a non-profit organization, who works for the promotion of animal protection and humane education throughout Korea.
Korea Animal Protection Law was adopted 7 May 1991. Since then, the Korean government has attempted to revise the law on several occasions to open the door to a legal dog meat trade, but have so far been unsuccessful. IAKA and KAPS are constantly battling to strengthen this law and see stronger and clearer penalties for those who commit crimes towards animals.
Currently, the Korea Animal Protection Law is rarely, if ever, enforced.
The consumption of dog meat has a long tradition in Korea. Dog bones were excavated in a neolithic settlement in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province.
Dog meat is generally considered a medicinal dish (either to improve male virility or to combat the heat in summer).Thirty percent are stolen from families that love them. Most are homeless dogs, captured by butchers and sold in open markets.
The tragic reality is that authorities are giving the dog meat trade their silent blessing by turning a blind eye to this outrageous bloodbath even though Korean law forbids the sale and consumption of dog meat.
In spite of a 1991 law which prohibits consumption of dogs and cats, a flourishing industry exists within the markets of Korea. Illegal and unsanitary dog farms are hidden in the countryside where breeders raise their stock for butchers.
All this cruelty has to be stopped.
Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director
