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SaveKoreanDogs’ recommendations for changes to the Animal Protection Law

Changes are happening with heartfelt thanks to activists, like Nami’s Team, on the ground in Korea. But, it goes without saying that what we do to put pressure on Korea is also very necessary. It is basic human nature that people behave better when there’s someone monitoring what they do, as they don’t like to be criticized. So let’s keep it up; we are here in solidarity to help the Korean activists keep on fighting this mountainous battle each and every day. Thank you!!

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The post below is being shared from that posted by SaveKoreanDogs on Facebook on August 16, 2016. Click HERE to see the post.

SaveKoreanDogs’ recommendations for the changes in Animal Protection Law

SaveKoreanDogs’ recommendations for the changes in Animal Protection Law

Nami Kim:

Today was a big day for me. I submitted an official proposal to the chairman of animal welfare committee at the parliament. MP Pyo Chang-Won(Democratic Party )and the secretary general Jo are the two key men when it comes to animal welfare law enforcement/legislation.

My request was to remove the name ‘dogs’ under livestock list and strengthening the current animal protection law. Jo and I spent hours going over each page, article by article, clause by clause. Not all will pass but my proposal will be reflected in the amendment of the legislation when its put on the table within a month.

I did my best, keep my fingers crossed for it. English version of my proposal will be ready later this week.

Click HERE to see Navercast about MP Pyo Chang-Won in Korean.
Click HERE to read news about MP Pyo Chang-Won in English.

Recommended changes for the Animal Protection Law

1. Amendment of the Enforcement Rule of the Livestock Industry Act which Classifies Dogs as Livestock

The Livestock Industry Act is the law governing livestock and livestock products, and stipulates that cattle, horses, sheep and swine, etc. that are bred by the people are livestock. However, Article 2 of the Enforcement Rule of the Livestock Industry Act provides that livestock are “animals prescribed and notified by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as animals that can be bred and contribute to the increase of income for farmers such as mules, donkeys, rabbits, dogs and bees.”

Simply put, the dogs are classified as livestock just like cattle, horses, sheep and swine. The livestock under the Livestock Industry Act refers to “animals that can be bred and contribute to the increase of income for farmers.” It is unjust to thus classify dogs as livestock, as animals that can contribute to the increase of income for farmers. This provision takes the legal protection away from the dogs, therefore, we hereby request that the “dogs” be declassified as livestock in the Enforcement Rule of the Livestock Industry Act.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety does not consider dogs as food, therefore the matters relating to dogs cannot be governed or punished by the Food Sanitation Act. Therefore, there is also no protection under the Food Sanitation Act because it is not applicable to eating dogs as food. As such, we are unable to do anything in connection with the complaints relating to illegal slaughter houses for dogs. There is no country anywhere on earth where dogs are classified as livestock. Who would consider one’s own peg dog as livestock such as cattle, chickens or swine?

We hereby request that dogs be declassified as livestock in the Enforcement Rule of the Livestock Industry Act.

2. Amendment of Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Animal Protection Act

Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Animal Protection Act provides as follows:

Article 2 (Scope of Animals) The term “animals prescribed by Presidential Decree” under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Animal Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) means reptiles, amphibia, and fish; provided, those kept for the purpose of human consumption shall be excluded.

Whether dogs are considered as mammals or not, the phrase “those kept for the purpose of human consumption shall be excluded” gives rise to many difficulties in connection with the complaints, crackdowns or demolition of illegal slaughter houses. The public officials unanimously say that they can do nothing although they are illegal because they are being bred for human consumption. Therefore, the above provision needs to be amended.

3. Amendment of Article 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Animal Protection Act

Article 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Animal Protection Act prescribes the scope of animals subject to registration as follows:

1. Canines raised in a house or quasi-dwelling under subparagraphs 1 and 4 of Article 2 of the Housing Act
2. Canines raised for human companionship in a space other than a house or quasi-dwelling under the foregoing subparagraph 1.

Please include the so-called “canines raised for human consumption” in the scope of animals subject to registration. A dog is a dog.
In reality, one cannot say anything even if the dog one had been raising is actually consumed at the site. Moreover, there is the distinction between the “pet dogs” and “dogs for human consumption,” and the dogs for human consumption are not even considered as animals. Almost all dogs at some 17,000 canine farms nationwide are illegally slaughtered and sold to restaurants or livestock markets.

As long as the dogs for human consumption are classified as livestock under the Animal Protection Act and the Livestock Industry Act, such illegal slaughtering and unsanitary distribution will continue. We believe such practice will be reduced if the dogs for human consumption are included in the animals subject to registration.

4. Request for Upward Adjustment of Punishment under the Animal Protection Act

Currently, any person who kills an animal without any justifiable grounds in breach of Article 8 of the Animal Protection Act is punishable by imprisonment with prison labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding ten million won under Article 46 of the Animal Protection Act. We respectfully request this provision to be adjusted upward to enhance effectiveness of the law. The monetary penalty shall be at least thirty million won. Besides, we have never heard of any one imprisoned for breach of the Animal Protection Act in Korea. The law is becoming titular without any power.

As far as we have seen, the only punishment they received under the Animal Protection Act was merely a fine of 200,000 won even though we witnessed the breeding and hanging to death of the dogs at a dog meat restaurant in Eurwang-ri, Incheon, and submitted the relevant evidence to the gu (district) office. Please increase the current level of monetary penalty, and also engage in external publicity which will help the public become aware of the reality, rather than remain as mere legal amendment.

In case of slaughter, the only thing we can do is rescue the dogs when we are on site, either immediately or at night if there is the immediate danger of being slaughtered the next day. Currently, the penalty under the Animal Protection Act is weak; even if we press charges based on destruction of property, the punishment is always weak and futile.

5. Pressing Need for Training and Awareness Program for Police Officers

The reality is that under the current Animal Protection Act, the punishment for cruelty toward animals is very lenient. Even though there is the law, it is useless because it is not being properly executed, and because there is rarely any police officer who knows such law. Even the police officer who came to the scene where the dogs were being hanged to death did not know that there was such law as the Animal Protection Act. It is urgently necessary that training program for police officers be established to remove such ignorance.

6. Creation of Animal Welfare Department

Currently, there is no separate animal welfare department in Korea (the only one established is at the Seoul Metropolitan Government). Now that we have become an advanced country, we sincerely ask you to create animal welfare departments at the state and local governments.

A dog is a dog. As for the distinction between pet dogs and dogs for human consumption, we sincerely hope that the expression “dogs for human consumption” would disappear forever. Korea is the only country on earth which maintains farms to raise dogs for human consumption. They need to go eventually. The environmental pollution caused by excrements is also a serious issue with the canine farms (water pollution, soil pollution and noise, etc.). Moreover, the cruelty during the slaughter is running to an extreme. The current Animal Protection Act and the Enforcement Decree or the Enforcement Rule thereof, which enable the culprits to evade crackdowns, are all good for nothing, and only give rise to endless environmental pollution.

We sincerely ask you to positively review the above proposal.

Nami Kim/Jenny Kim
Campaigner/Rescuer
SaveKoreanDogs
Korean Dogs Shelter KDS
Animal Rights Activist Group Fighting the Dog Meat Trade in Korea
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.savekoreandogs.org
https://www.facebook.com/savekoreandogs

동물보호 건의문

1. 개를 가축으로 규정한 축산법 시행규칙 개정

축산법은 가축과 축산물에 관한 법률로 사육하는 소, 말, 양, 돼지 등을 가축으로 규정하고 있습니다. 그런데 축산법 시행규칙 제2조에서는 “노새, 당나귀, 토끼, 개, 꿀벌, 그밖에 사육이 가능하며 농가의 소득 증대의 기여할 수 있는 동물로서 농림축산식품부 장관이 정하여 고시하는 동물”을 가축으로 규정하고 있습니다.

즉 개를 소, 말, 양, 돼지 등과 같이 가축으로 포함시킨 것입니다. 축산법상 가축이란 “사육이 가능하며, 농가의 소득증대에 기여할 수 있는 동물”을 의미합니다. 이처럼 개를 농가소득 증대에 기여할 수 있는 동물로서 축산물에 포함시킨 것은 부당합니다. 이로써 개는 법의 보호를 못 받고 있는 현실이니 축산법 시행규칙상 가축에서 “개”를 삭제해 줄 것을 요청합니다.

한편 식품의약품안전처에서는 개를 식품으로 간주하지 않으므로 식품위생법으로 규율하거나 처벌을 할 수 없습니다. 따라서 개를 식품으로 먹는 것에 대하여 식품위생법을 적용할 수 없으므로 관리가 부재합니다. 이로 인해 개에 대한 불법도축장 민원과 관련하여 저희는 아무 것도 할 수 없는 입장입니다. 지구상 어디에도 개를 축산물로 보는 곳은 없습니다. 누가 자신의 애견을 소와 닭, 돼지와 같은 축산물로 보겠습니까?.

축산법 시행규칙상 가축에서 개를 삭제해 주시길 건의드립니다.

2. 동물보호법 시행령 제2조 개정

동물보호법 시행령 제2조는 다음과 같은 규정을 두고 있습니다.

제2조(동물의 범위) 「동물보호법」(이하 “법”이라 한다) 제2조제1호 에서 “대통령령으로 정하는 동물”이란 파충류, 양서류 및 어류를 말한다. 다만, 식용(食用)을 목적으로 하는 것은 제외한다.

개를 포유류로 보는 관점이든 아니든 “식용을 목적으로 하는 것은 제외한다”는 문구로 인해 불법도축장 민원/단속/철거에서 어려움이 많습니다. 불법이어도 식용으로 키우기 때문에 어쩔 수 없다는 게 담당공무원들이 하나 같이 하는 말입니다. 따라서 위 규정은 개정되어야 합니다.

3. 동물보호법 시행령 제3조 개정

동물보호법 시행령 제3조에서는 등록대상동물의 범위를 아래와 같이 정하고 있습니다.

1. 「주택법」 제2조제1호 및 제4호에 따른 주택ㆍ준주택에서 기르는 개
2. 제1호에 따른 주택ㆍ준주택 외의 장소에서 반려(伴侶) 목적으로 기르는 개

등록동물대상 범위에 소위 “식육견” 도 포함시켜 주십시오. 개는 모두 같은 개입니다.
정작 현장에서 보면 자신이 기르던 개를 잡아먹어도 아무 말도 못하는 것이 현실입니다. 또한 “애견” 과 보신탕용 “육견” 이 따로 있어 식육견은 동물로 간주하지 않습니다. 전국의 17000 개의 개농장의 개는 거의 모두 불법으로 도축되어 보신탕집 또는 가축시장으로 팔려나가고 있는 상태입니다.

동물보호법과 축산법이 식용견을 가축으로 보는 이상 불법도살과 비위생적인 유통과정은 분명 지속될 것입니다. 동물등록대상에 식용견도 포함킨다면 이러한 유통과정이 줄어 들 수 있다고 확신합니다.

4. 동물보호법 벌금형 처벌 수위 상향 조정 요청

현재 동물보호법 8조를 위반하여 동물을 정당한 사유없이 죽이는 행위자는 동물보호법 제46조에 따라서 1년 이하 징역이나 1천만원 이하의 벌금에 처하도록 되어 있습니다. 이것을 상향 조정시켜 법의 실효성을 높여주시길 바랍니다. 적어도 벌금형이 3 천 만원 이상이 되어야 합니다. 저는 우리나라에서 동물보호법 위반으로 실형을 받은 경우는 아직 없다고 들었습니다. 이에 법이 있어도 유명무실해지고 있습니다.

제가 경험한 바로는 인천 을왕리 보신탕집에서 개를 사육하고 목 매달아 직접 도살하는 장면까지 보고 증거물까지 구청에 제출된 상태에서 동물보호법 범위 안에서 처벌을 받게 한 건 겨우 한 건 20 만원이 전부입니다. 현재의 벌금형 수위를 높여 주시고 이것이 단지 법으로가 아닌 대중에게 인식이 되도록 하는 대외적 홍보도 부탁드립니다.

도살의 경우, 우리가 현장에 나갔을 때, 당장 혹은 그 다음날 도살될 위기에 처했을 때 밤에 나가 꺼내올 수밖에 없습니다. 현재 동물보호법으로 도저히 처벌이 미약하므로 재물손괴죄로 고발을 한다 해도 역시 처벌은 늘 미약하고 무용지물인 상태입니다.

5. 경찰관들의 교육 인지 프로그램 시급

현재 동물보호법 범위 내에서 동물 학대에 대해서 매우 관대한 것이 현실입니다. 법이 있어도 이것이 제대로 실행되지도 못하고 있으며 경찰관들 역시 이 법을 아는 사람 없으니 무용지물입니다. 개를 목매다는 현장에 나온 경찰관도 동물보호법이 있는 줄도 모릅니다. 이 무지를 없애기 위해서는 경찰관을 대상으로 교육 프로그램을 마련하는 것이 시급합니다.

6. 동물복지부서의 신설

현재 우리나라에는 동물복지과가 따로 신설되어 있지 않습니다(현재 서울시청이 유일). 이제 선진국이 된만큼 동물복지과를 국가 및 지방자치단체에 설치해 주실 것을 당부드립니다.

개는 다 같은 개입니다. A Dog is A Dog. 애견과 육견을 분리시키는 것에 대해 “육견”이라는 단어가 사라지길 간절히 원합니다. 지구상에서 유일하게 개를 보신탕용으로 사육하기 위해 농장을 운영하는 것은 한국이 유일합니다. 이것은 점차 사라져야 마땅합니다. 개농장의 경우 분뇨로 인한 환경오염도 심각합니다(수질오염 토양오염, 주변 소음 등등). 또한 도축 과정에서 잔인함이 극에 달하고 있습니다. 현재의 법으로 단속 대상에서 빠져 나갈 수 있는 길을 내어주는 동물보호법이나 시행령, 시행규칙 모두가 있으나 마나이며 수도 없는 환경오염을 불러 일으킬 뿐입니다.

부디 위 건의를 긍정적으로 검토하여 주시길 바랍니다.

Nami Kim/Jenny Kim
Campaigner/Rescuer
Savekoreandogs
코리언 독스 보호소 KDS
Animal Rights Activist Group Fighting the Dog Meat Trade in Korea
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.savekoreandogs.org
https://www.facebook.com/savekoreandogs

  1. Edurne González Arrugaeta
    Edurne González ArrugaetaAugust 26,16

    Los seres humanos, tenemos la obligación, el deber y la responsabilidad de ayudar a nuestros hermanos pequeños los animales. Ayudarles a evolucionar y darles una calidad de vida física y emocional.los animales desde que nacen hasta que mueren ya pueden tener la edad que tengan no tienen voz, nosotros somos sus voces y nos pedirá cuenta Dios de como les hemos tratado y cuidado! Tal como los hemos tratado así nosotros seremos tratados, esto es real y la ley de causa y efecto lo que siembras recogesw funciona a las mil maravillas y lo mejor de todo es que estas leyes no se pueden manipular, ni vender, ni comprar. Para los animales nosotros somos Dioses!

    • Teresa Woodhouse
      Teresa WoodhouseAugust 27,16

      Thank you so much for all you do. A new dawn is upon us.

    • Annelina
      AnnelinaDecember 6,16

      Chinese kill themselves that eat meat .. the dogs tend to stray infected with trichinosis, which is not only very poorly diagnosed and even before that does not reach! People die suddenly! Like pneumonia or kidney … denied …
      A variety of symptoms of trichinosis often leads to diagnostic errors: it is taken for typhoid or typhus, opistorhoz, fascioliasis and other worms, influenza, tetanus, nephritis, pneumonia and others.Trichinella is very resistant to prolonged exposure to high and low temperatures, and also are not afraid of salting and smoking. The meat of an adult animal bearing larvae have long, capsules larvae become calcified and heat treatment does not kill them.

  2. olimpia marina
    olimpia marinaAugust 27,16

    We demand Nami Kim be Nominated woman of the year 2016..for beeing devoted in saving animals and risking her own life.We demand full protection from South Korea Government

    • Rupert Veitch
      Rupert VeitchAugust 28,16

      Hear, hear!!!

    • Cathy Z.
      Cathy Z.August 30,16

      Awesome idea, I totally agree. She is a true Angel.

  3. kety abate
    kety abateAugust 27,16

    stop killing dogs

  4. Cristina Economides
    Cristina EconomidesAugust 27,16

    THANKS FOR BEING ETHICAL TOWARDS VOICELESS ANIMALS!!

  5. BETH WILLIAMS
    BETH WILLIAMSAugust 27,16

    I feel the dog meat trade should be abolished completely!!

  6. edith spruijt
    edith spruijtAugust 28,16

    jes save the dogs en katz

  7. BJ Holden
    BJ HoldenAugust 30,16

    Thank you Nami Kim for all that you do…thank you so much for your compassion and commitment to these precious ones who have no voice…praying for your success…God bless you abundantly in all of your efforts!

  8. Elissa
    ElissaSeptember 4,16

    Stop the torture of dogs and the barbaric killing of these beautiful sentient creatures..

  9. Lulu Priela
    Lulu PrielaSeptember 5,16

    A big NO to animal cruelty… Pls put a stop to animal torture.

  10. Viard
    ViardSeptember 6,16

    et les chats ??? eux aussi souffrent !!!

  11. Rui Almeida
    Rui AlmeidaOctober 19,16

    This is so unfair what we do to the animals.
    They give so much love to us, they only want someone to love, a home, and food… the basic of a human being.

  12. Annie charpentier
    Annie charpentierJanuary 10,17

    Stop the evil and torture of these poor dogs and bless their souls, dogs are not for consuption, they do not have any health benefits whatsoever!! Doctors and labs can confirm this!! Dogs would do anything for humans!! Save us from a house fire! Guide us if we are blind!! They work in the police force! Dogs are useful for many things! Dogs a sacred! and should be protected and blessed!! Please a law needs to be created to protect dogs!! human best friends!

  13. Dhennin
    DhenninJanuary 10,17

    Félicitations à vous … nous sommes nombreux dans tous les pays à vous soutenir …

  14. Anne Dodgshun
    Anne DodgshunJanuary 10,17

    Animals have feelings and suffer pain the same as humans do. Dogs are loyal and wonderful companions. They don’t deserve such inhumane treatment that the Butchers and people behind the dog meat trade so cruelly inflict on these defenceless and loyal creatures.

  15. Jessica gilroy
    Jessica gilroyJanuary 11,17

    Thank you Nami! You are my hero!

  16. Gail Schultz
    Gail SchultzJanuary 11,17

    Please pass some protection against animal abuse. Dogs and cats should not be allowed to get skinned and tortured right out in the open

  17. Daniel Patteet
    Daniel PatteetApril 2,17

    All live is secretaris. Te earth will be inheredet by the mercyfull, what hapjes to the rest ook them, is unnow, uit can’t be Anything good! Orange mercyfull. Wat gesprek aroud,codes around.

  18. Jasmine Scorcini
    Jasmine ScorciniJune 25,17

    Bitte stoppt diese Grausamkeiten gegen Hunde und Katzen.Was seid den Ihr für Menschen die diese Barbarischen Praktiken an den Tag legt das ist unvorstellbar wie in einem Horrorfilm als ich so etwas das erste mal im Fernsehen sah konnte ich die bestialischen Bilder nicht mehr aus meinem Kopf bringenschämt ihr euch nicht das ist keineFortschritliches Land das ist ein Land bekannt durch ihre Grausamkeiten.Solange das existiert werde ich keinen Fuss in euer Land und vor allem nicht nach Korea oder China setzen Pfui schämt euch.Ich verabscheu dieses Land noch mehr alleine die Hoffnung dass es hoffentlich noch mehr so gute Menschen wie Pay Jong gibt.

  19. Eja Hameeteman
    Eja HameetemanAugust 2,17

    Thank you for all you do! You are amazing, to say the least!!!

  20. Patricia Archer
    Patricia ArcherNovember 10,17

    Thank God for you!

  21. Brit Helle Aarskog
    Brit Helle AarskogApril 5,18

    Barbaric cruelty reflects a society with no moral values.

  22. Charlotte
    CharlotteJune 19,18

    Thank you Nami for being the voice and all you do for the dogs and cats

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