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This is a translation of news reported in July 2012 on TBS News: Chobok (First of 3 dog eating days of summer) – Controversy over dog meat in South Korea 초복, 개고기에 대한 엇갈린 시선.

English Caption Transcript

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Seongnam Moran Market.
4 days ahead of Chobok (First of the 3 dog meat eating days of summer in Korea) last Sunday, there’s an uproar at the entrance to the largest dog meat market, Seongnam Moran Market.

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An animal rights activist group is protesting against dog and cat meat consumption.

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Stop the dog meat consumption! Stop! Stop!

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South Korea must enact a law banning dog and cat consumption immediately! Enact! Enact!

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They even stage a performance re-enacting this market’s imprisonment of dogs cramped tightly into cages.

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As a matter of fact, we found a dog truck near the area where the protest was taking place.

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Dogs are pressed down by the cages, unable to stretch or move. The cruel act of stuffing many dogs tightly into small cages is seen.

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They are barking in agony but can’t even move an inch.

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The dog meat controversy has been hotly debated for a long time.

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There are disagreements but most people’s position is that other people’s food preference must be respected.

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Hyeok-Seong Kwon, Bundang, Gyeonggi-do.
People are free to eat whatever they want because it’s their preference. The problem with dogs meat is its distribution process.

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People have the freedom to eat whatever but the dogs are stuffed into cages so the distribution process needs to improve.

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Yeon-Hwa Lee, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul.
I think they should be protected. That’s because I have pet dogs and they are lovable to me.

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Ji-Won Baek, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do.
I don’t like seeing dogs being boiled alive and their fur removed whilst they are still alive so I don’t eat it.

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Most people pointed out that the slaughter process is extremely cruel or unsanitary and the cruelty to the animals is a serious concern.

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We investigated the dog meat distribution process with an animal protection organization.

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A potential customer puts a snare on a dog and examines her from all sides.

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As the dog is struck with an electrical shocker, her body jerks and she is incapacitated.

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Dog butcher: This dog was strong. Her meat is not greasy and it’s good quality.
(Talking to a dog in a cage) You live because this one was chosen. Ha-ha…

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Beagles and Shih Tzus were exceptions. They are abandoned former pets.

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The slaughter takes place at the rear end of the market. The floor is very dirty.

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The sanitation issue is serious.

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We examined a dog farm in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do.

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Dogs are held captive in cages full of excrement and maggots.

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Not only are they fed decomposed food waste but some places even feed them dead dogs!

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Despite the current state, there is absolutely no government agency that regulates or is responsible for the dog meat distribution process.

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It’s difficult to know even if meat from dogs with diseases is distributed to unsuspecting customers.

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According to the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, the slaughter of cows and pigs must be performed only at licensed places and

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livestock sanitation inspectors and auditors with veterinary qualification must thoroughly inspect the slaughterhouses.

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However, dogs are excluded from the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act!

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It’s because the government is aware of the international public opinion regarding the dog meat consumption.

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Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Dog meat is not regulated under the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act. Dog meat is very controversial.

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We cannot easily legalize the dog meat industry because of the animal protection groups and other countries that think it’s barbaric to eat dogs.

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That’s why we cannot regulate the current dog meat industry.

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According to the dog meat traders at the Seongnam Moran Market, the number of dogs sold there is about 1,000 per day.

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They are mostly sold to the dog meat restaurants around Seoul and Gyeonggi-do regions.

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“Disgusting food” or “Summer health food”?
The dog meat consumption issue remains very controversial.

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Its distribution process is rife with illegalities and lawlessness.

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