The RSPCA is concerned about the continuing cruelty involved in the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption in Korea. This trade persists in clear breach of the country's animal protection law. The killing of dogs for meat has recently been outlawed in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines. While most other countries in East Asia have no laws protecting domestic animals, Korea has had an animal protection law since 1991. Although this ostensibly protects dogs and cats from cruelty, the legislation has never been effectively enforced.

Hidden cruelty:

The RSPCA's international department has carried out a thorough investigation into the dog meat markets. As these markets are often hidden away in the back streets of cities, until recently few Koreans had seen the cruel conditions in which the animals are transported and slaughtered.

At market dogs are kept for long periods in cramped cages until they are selected for slaughter - then weighed and butchered in full view of the other dogs. Slaughter methods include electrocution or beating. Carcasses are often blowtorched to enhance the meat's appearance. Cats are boiled into a tonic which is sold as a treatment for arthritis.

Recent trend:

While there has been a history of sporadic dog-eating in Korea, this practice occurred mainly in times of famine and was never widespread. Only in recent years have dogs been systematically farmed on the scale we see today. Dog meat is not typical to the Korean diet - the health ministry describes it as 'marginal'. Cats were never considered food animals until the 1980s, when a trend began to market both dog meat and cat tonic as health-promoting foods.

Illegal trade:

As dogs and cats are excluded from the list of livestock defined in Korea's food hygiene legislation, the sale of their meat for human consumption is technically illegal. In the past two years there have been efforts by politicians to legalize the trade by including dogs and cats in the definition of livestock.

Korean opposition:

Many Koreans have publicly opposed this. As more people in the country become aware of the scale and nature of the cruelty involved, the campaign against the dog and cat meat trade is gathering momentum. Young people especially are becoming better informed about this and a range of other animal welfare concerns.

RSPCA position:

RSPCA International

1. Opposes moves to legalize the dog and cat meat trade as this may result in a rise in consumption and an increase in animal suffering.
2. Actively supports local groups working lawfully to expose cruelty and promote humane attitudes towards animals.
3. Urges the Korean authorities to strengthen the animal protection law and implement its provisions in a way that prevents cruelty to all animals.
4. Offers its support - in the form of advice or training - to the Korean government in the development of effective animal welfare law enforcement.

Information:

The RSPCA is encouraged by the increasing concern shown by many Koreans towards animal cruelty. If you would like to know more about this issue you can contact the following organizations:

International Aid for Korean Animals & Korean Animal Protection Society P.O. Box 20600

Oakland, CA 94620-0600, USA - Tel: + 1 510 271-6795, Fax: + 1 510 451-0643

E-mail: kaps@koreananimals.org
Website: www.koreananimals.org

IAKA and KAPS are sister organizations that have been working for over a decade to protect companion animals in Korea. IAKA (a US registered charity) raises funds and campaigns worldwide to promote animal welfare in Korea, while KAPS (a non-profit organization registered in the Republic of Korea) runs an animal shelter in the city of Taegu and campaigns within Korea.

If you would like to support RSPCA International by making a donation, please send a cheque or postal order (made payable to the RSPCA Overseas Fund) to: