Help stop Korea's illegal torture In July, Channel 5 viewers were shocked by a documentary on the slaughter of dogs and cats for meat in Korea. Here, Kyenan Kum, founder and Director of International Aid for Korean Animals (IAKA), reports.
The myth is that the more pain suffered by these animals, the more tender and aphrodisiac the meat - an idea spread by Korean dog meat (boshintang) dealers. Dog meat stew is not a thousand year old Korean tradition, as they claim. This commercial trade in dogs and cats began in 1980, when a boom in the economy made scarce 'livestock' meats suddenly affordable. The dog meat trade comprised a handful of dealers who, fearing loss of business, began to market the myth that dog meat stew is a traditional 'cure all' health food. The Korean Government has failed to enforce its 1984 Ministry of Health law banning dog meat stew, and its 1991 Animal Protection Law banning cruelty to animals. Designating South Korea as a host of World Cup 2002 sends a clear message that the world accepts illegal animal cruelty. This is not an issue of 'cultural differences'. Caring Koreans and most people worldwide know that no animal should be tortured and abused. Yet Korean cat and dog dealers deliberately inflict maximum pain to dogs and cats. The Korean government recognised the terrible suffering caused by the dog meat trade when it outlawed dog meat stew in 1984. Today we need the help of caring people worldwide to stamp out this abuse once and for all. HOW YOU CAN HELP
|
Every
year, 2.6 million dogs and countless cats are killed and eaten in
South Korea. Slaughter includes hanging by the neck, prolonged beatings
with pipes and hammers, and electrocution. Often, cats are boiled
alive, and dogs are routinely blow torched to remove their fur and
brown the skin.