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This is a translation of Korean news on Choseon TV, reported on March 6, 2014: “Living Hell” Dog meat farm distributes dogs for consumption [뉴스쇼 판] ‘생지옥’ 개 사육장…식용견으로 유통되기도

“Living Hell” Dog meat farm distributes dogs for consumption

Though better than the dogs used for dog fight gambling, the plight of the many dogs being raised and distributed for consumption is appalling. With no legal groundwork for restrictions regarding the trade, authorities have given up.

Bae Yeong-jin reports.

This is a makeshift kennel covered in plastic in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do province. Upon entering, we can see about 300 dogs locked in metal cages.

This is an illegal dog farm that captures stray dogs, then breeds and sells them for meat.
Starting from the entrance, there is a horrible stench and the floor is covered in feces and old trash.

It is estimated that there are close to 20,000 dog farms across the country just like this one, but with most operating secretly it is impossible to get an accurate picture of the situation.

Kim Hye-ran, Director of Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA)’s Animal Protection Education Center says, “Let’s say the dogs can live for at least 15 years, 5 to 6 of those years are spent being forcibly impregnated and giving birth.”

An even larger issue is that these dogs that are raised in unhygienic environments are illegally being slaughtered, and then distributed for dog meat. Saying that there no laws governing the trade, local authorities are doing little to control the situation.

Kim Hae-jin, Official of Sasang-gu Office of Busan states, “As there are no provisions that governs the trade of dogs for meat in the auction laws, we cannot provide a definitive answer to your question.”

Despite being the animal closest to our lives, their treatment is left in a legal blind spot because they are not legally categorized as livestock. The enactment of pertinent laws and measures are desperately needed.

This is Bae Yeong-jin with Joseon TV.

Please sign petitions against the South Korean Dog Meat Cruelty!