Dog meat trade & consumption
in South Korea
The consumption of dog meat, called Gaegogi (개고기) in Korean, has had a long history in South Korea as well as other Eastern Asian cultures, but it has been controversial both inside and outside of the country due to animal rights and sanitary concerns.
The consumption of dog meat can be traced back to antiquity. Dog bones were excavated in a neolithic settlement in Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. A wall painting in the Goguryeo tombs complex in South Hwangghae Province, a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates from 4th century AD, depicts a slaughtered dog in a storehouse (Ahn, 2000). The Balhae people also enjoyed dog meat, and the Koreans' appetite for canine cuisine seems to have come from that era.
Koreans have distinguished Chinese terms for dog "견; 犬", which refers to pet dogs, feral dogs, and wolves from the chinese term "구; 狗," which is used specifically to indicate dog meat. "Hwangu" has been considered better for consumption than "Baekgu" (White dog) and "Heukgu" (Black dog).
Approximately In 1816, Jeong Hak-yu (정학유; 丁學遊), the second son of Jeong Yak-yong , a prominent politician and scholar of Choseon dynasty at the time, wrote a poem called Nongawollyeonga. This poem, which is an important source of Korean folk history, describes what ordinary Korean farming families did in each month of a year. In the description of the month of August the poem tells of a married woman visiting her birth parents with boiled dog meat, rice cake, and rice wine, thus showing the popularity of dog meat at the time (Ahn, 2000; Seo, 2002). Dongguk Seshigi, a book written by a Korean scholar Hong Seok Mo in 1849, contains a recipe of Boshintang including a boiled dog, green onion, and red chili pepper powder.
Source: Wikipedia
Inside South Korean
dog meat farms
Pictures: courtesy of Yellow Dog Team - please do not reproduce without permission.
For more pictures, please visit the website of Yellow Dog Team
For more pictures, please visit the website of Yellow Dog Team
The shame of South Korea!
Dogs are electrocuted, hanged, beaten or burned to death.... and a lot of times this happens right in front of other dogs who are waiting for their turn.
There is a perverted belief that the meat tastes better if dogs have high adrenaline levels in their meat before they die. Therefore, some dogs are made to experience extreme fear and suffering in the lead up to their deaths.
Some dogs are hanged and then beaten while they are hanging and still alive.
Others are hanged and then a blow torch is used on them while they are still alive to remove their hair.
Others still are simply beaten and tortured to death.
Generally, at the markets, dogs are electrocuted and then their necks are broken.
There is a perverted belief that the meat tastes better if dogs have high adrenaline levels in their meat before they die. Therefore, some dogs are made to experience extreme fear and suffering in the lead up to their deaths.
Some dogs are hanged and then beaten while they are hanging and still alive.
Others are hanged and then a blow torch is used on them while they are still alive to remove their hair.
Others still are simply beaten and tortured to death.
Generally, at the markets, dogs are electrocuted and then their necks are broken.
Farmed meat dogs are born and raised inside tiny wired cages. Dogs can't sit or lie down comfortably.
This is what the "meat" dogs in Sout Korea are fed with - rotten food waste from restaurants.
To make higher quality dog meat, all dog ranchers feed the dogs with human food waste and do not provide the dogs with any water. The ranchers claimed that the dogs that are fed actual dog food do not get purchased by the buyers because the meat quality is allegedly not as good. None of the ranchers and slaughterers recognized that not providing water for dogs was a severe form of animal cruelty.
To make higher quality dog meat, all dog ranchers feed the dogs with human food waste and do not provide the dogs with any water. The ranchers claimed that the dogs that are fed actual dog food do not get purchased by the buyers because the meat quality is allegedly not as good. None of the ranchers and slaughterers recognized that not providing water for dogs was a severe form of animal cruelty.
"Winter on a dog meat farm in South Korea"
This is part of a tiny dog farm operation in Goyang City. Sadly, this is the reality on all dog farms in South Korea. Dogs are out in all kinds of weather. Living in a tiny steel box like this would be like living in a fridge. The dogs stand on wire, so there is little protection from the wind.
Cruelty to the maximum!
This is part of a tiny dog farm operation in Goyang City. Sadly, this is the reality on all dog farms in South Korea. Dogs are out in all kinds of weather. Living in a tiny steel box like this would be like living in a fridge. The dogs stand on wire, so there is little protection from the wind.
Cruelty to the maximum!
A typical dog meat farm in South Korea.
Dogs are fed few times per week with rotten food waste. No water is given even in the hot summer!
These intelligent dogs are kept in this tiny wire cages in their short miserable lives... they don't even know what it feels like to walk on ground.
Dogs are fed few times per week with rotten food waste. No water is given even in the hot summer!
These intelligent dogs are kept in this tiny wire cages in their short miserable lives... they don't even know what it feels like to walk on ground.
Large scale factory dog farm in S. Korea. Dogs are imprisoned in these despicable raised up chicken cages all their miserable lives never experiencing what walking on ground feels like until that last moment of death.
Dog farms in S. Korea became industrialized into corporate farming. Respect for lives and their welfare is the last thing on the minds of these dog farmers...
Dog farms in S. Korea became industrialized into corporate farming. Respect for lives and their welfare is the last thing on the minds of these dog farmers...
At the South Korean meat market, cages with meat dogs are thrown on the ground like sacks of rice. Many are injured.
Dogs can commonly be seen in Korean markets being killed (hopefully) by hammer blows to the head before being skinned.
Sometimes the dog is electrified instead, with electrodes fixed to the tongue. Yet another favoured method is slow strangulation by hanging.
The flesh is then singed by a blowtorch to improve its appearance. On some occasions, the animal remains alive throughout, eventually dying from shock.
This is all performed in full view of other dogs crammed in cages awaiting the same fate.
The Koreans actually believe that the adrenaline released into the dogs' bloodstreams by their sheer terror and agony will increase the sexual potency of the consumer.
Sometimes the dog is electrified instead, with electrodes fixed to the tongue. Yet another favoured method is slow strangulation by hanging.
The flesh is then singed by a blowtorch to improve its appearance. On some occasions, the animal remains alive throughout, eventually dying from shock.
This is all performed in full view of other dogs crammed in cages awaiting the same fate.
The Koreans actually believe that the adrenaline released into the dogs' bloodstreams by their sheer terror and agony will increase the sexual potency of the consumer.
"30% of dog meat consumed in S. Korea are smuggled from China! This is a secret that everyone knows about."
Most dog meat traders and slaughter houses in South Korea denies that they sell Chinese dog meats because they are considered not as high quality.
Smuggling route : Chinese dog meat farm - Korean distributors - Slaughter houses.
Most dog meat traders and slaughter houses in South Korea denies that they sell Chinese dog meats because they are considered not as high quality.
Smuggling route : Chinese dog meat farm - Korean distributors - Slaughter houses.
Customers commonly choose a live dog from a cage, at which point the dog is pulled out with a noose attached to a stick, dragged into a nearby room and given a fatal electrical shock with what resembles a cattle prod.
It is thrown into a steel vat of boiling water to soften the meat and make its fur easier to remove. From there it is tumbled in a dryer that removes most of the fur. A torch is used to burn off any that remains, and the dog is then butchered to order while you wait.
About 25 percent of South Korea’s dog meat is sold through Moran Market.
It is thrown into a steel vat of boiling water to soften the meat and make its fur easier to remove. From there it is tumbled in a dryer that removes most of the fur. A torch is used to burn off any that remains, and the dog is then butchered to order while you wait.
About 25 percent of South Korea’s dog meat is sold through Moran Market.
Dogs as food vs. Dogs as pets? Well...
Proponents of dog meat argues that only the dogs raised as food in the dog farms are slaughtered and eaten. However, as you can see in this photo of dogs for sale at the "Moran Market" in South Korea (the largest dog meat market where live and slaughtered dogs for food are being sold) when it comes to dog meat, no dog is immune from this horrible fate. These small purebreed dogs are slaughtered at the spot or sold live to be made into dog liquor.
As we all know that all dogs are the same.. they just have different looks. Therefore, this argument that the dogs raised as food is ok to eat is ludicrous. Even if that was the case, in order to protect the "pet dogs" from sharing this horrible fate, dog meat should be banned completely.
Proponents of dog meat argues that only the dogs raised as food in the dog farms are slaughtered and eaten. However, as you can see in this photo of dogs for sale at the "Moran Market" in South Korea (the largest dog meat market where live and slaughtered dogs for food are being sold) when it comes to dog meat, no dog is immune from this horrible fate. These small purebreed dogs are slaughtered at the spot or sold live to be made into dog liquor.
As we all know that all dogs are the same.. they just have different looks. Therefore, this argument that the dogs raised as food is ok to eat is ludicrous. Even if that was the case, in order to protect the "pet dogs" from sharing this horrible fate, dog meat should be banned completely.
"Dog goes best with a light Shiraz, or a nice Riesling" says Lee Charm, CEO of Korea Tourism Organization.
The cuisine also remains popular among some government officials, including Cham Lee, the German-born director of the Korean Tourism Organization, who also raises Korean Jindo dogs as pets. He elicited criticism when he held a private wine and dog-tasting seminar. His verdict: dog goes best with a light Shiraz, or a nice Riesling.
Source: http://animalrightskorea.org/dog-related-news/korean-activist-against-dog-eating-in-the-news.html
The cuisine also remains popular among some government officials, including Cham Lee, the German-born director of the Korean Tourism Organization, who also raises Korean Jindo dogs as pets. He elicited criticism when he held a private wine and dog-tasting seminar. His verdict: dog goes best with a light Shiraz, or a nice Riesling.
Source: http://animalrightskorea.org/dog-related-news/korean-activist-against-dog-eating-in-the-news.html
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Korean dog meat-markets
Dogs are kept in cages at the markets in front of the dog butcher's shop. They are forced to endure cramped conditions in the hot sun.
In this video, we go inside the butcher's shop, where the dogs are slaughtered. Also, in this shop, there are boilers. It has been alleged that dogs are cats are boiled alive in Korea to make health tonics.
Dogs caught up in the Korean dog meat industry endure deprivation, cruelty and brutal lives. To all those people who support dog eating and think it's cool to eat dog, we hope this video and others like it can cure you of your ignorance and your support of animal abuse.
In this video, we go inside the butcher's shop, where the dogs are slaughtered. Also, in this shop, there are boilers. It has been alleged that dogs are cats are boiled alive in Korea to make health tonics.
Dogs caught up in the Korean dog meat industry endure deprivation, cruelty and brutal lives. To all those people who support dog eating and think it's cool to eat dog, we hope this video and others like it can cure you of your ignorance and your support of animal abuse.
This is a general tour through the markets showing were dogs are kept in cages, waiting for slaughter, and another section where people can buy puppies or older dogs.
The older dogs are for meat. The puppies could be for pets or to raise for eating.
This undercover footage shows the cages that dogs are commonly transported in from farms to the markets in Korea. The dogs aren't given any water while waiting under a hot sun and receive no relief from the tight confines of the wire cages.
Understandably, this causes stress and aggression among the dogs. They might be stuck like this for hours and hours. At a couple of moments in the video the dogs can be seen fighting amongst each other as they try to get more comfortable.
You can see what the metal bar is for, the one lying across a couple of cages, towards the end of of the video.
Understandably, this causes stress and aggression among the dogs. They might be stuck like this for hours and hours. At a couple of moments in the video the dogs can be seen fighting amongst each other as they try to get more comfortable.
You can see what the metal bar is for, the one lying across a couple of cages, towards the end of of the video.
This footage shows night-time dog transport operations. Dogs are crammed into tiny wire cages and piled high, one on top of the other, on transport trucks. It happens at night so it is generally hidden from the public. Because it had to be shot secretly in the dark the quality is not so good--sorry about that.
Dogs caught up in the Korean dog meat industry endure deprivation, cruelty and brutal lives. To all those people who support dog eating and think it's cool to eat dog, we hope this video and others like it can cure you of your ignorance and your support of animal abuse.
Dogs caught up in the Korean dog meat industry endure deprivation, cruelty and brutal lives. To all those people who support dog eating and think it's cool to eat dog, we hope this video and others like it can cure you of your ignorance and your support of animal abuse.
"Dangerous Health Food - Inconvenient Truth about
Dog Meat"
If you don't see the English Caption, please click "CC"!
Keep in mind that dog eating Koreans conveniently categorize the dogs into "Meat dogs" and "Pet dogs" in order to justify the brutality of their dog meat industry.
As we all know dogs are dogs. There is no difference between dogs bred for meat and dogs bred for pet. They are all intelligent sentient animals.
This TV program investigates the cruel and unethical world of dog meat industry that indiscriminately slaughters "meat dogs", "pet dogs" and even the "sick dogs" as food.
Please share this page far and wide. You can be their voice!
Please help stop this atrocity in South Korea by signing and sharing the below petitions and speak out against this horrific cruelty towards man's best friends.
Thank you!
Keep in mind that dog eating Koreans conveniently categorize the dogs into "Meat dogs" and "Pet dogs" in order to justify the brutality of their dog meat industry.
As we all know dogs are dogs. There is no difference between dogs bred for meat and dogs bred for pet. They are all intelligent sentient animals.
This TV program investigates the cruel and unethical world of dog meat industry that indiscriminately slaughters "meat dogs", "pet dogs" and even the "sick dogs" as food.
Please share this page far and wide. You can be their voice!
Please help stop this atrocity in South Korea by signing and sharing the below petitions and speak out against this horrific cruelty towards man's best friends.
Thank you!
Souts Korea's dog meat trade:
Eating sick dogs and former pet dogs
개고기의 불편한 진실
English caption for video
Click red "CC" button on the bottom right corner of the screen for English Caption or read below.
Video: http://youtu.be/A3WNJFd1Cl0!
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Scorching hot July afternoon. Today is Boknal (Dog days of summer in Korea).
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Nutty smell of perilla seeds is rushing the people’s footsteps.
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People seeking tasty food and taking care of their health without questioning or thinking.
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Dog meat is digested the best, it’s soft and easy to eat. Therefore, I eat it often.
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After eating few bowls of this soup, I can beat the summer heat and stay energetic.
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Dog meat was eaten from the time of our ancestors so there is no need to argue whether it’s legal or illegal…because it’s just food.
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Today we are going to tell you about the inconvenient truth about dog meat, the symbol of health food.
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Incheon-city.
We received an information from someone who quit eating dog meat as a result dumbfounding experience.
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He said the dog meat his mother-in-law made for him was shocking.
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Informant C.M. Kim (Alias) (38 years old).
This place had dogs. I am not sure if they raise or just sell these dogs.
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Typical pet dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Spitz, Poodles and even Dalmatians were being slaughtered.
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I was curious where these dogs were being distributed. Upon following, it was a local “Health Food Center”.
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Shocking information about pet dogs slaughter.
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Nonsan-city.
We left for Nonsan-city, Chungnam-province where the informer witnessed this scene.
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We found a large warehouse building.
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We staked out behind the building and gazed at the livestock stable.
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3 or 4 man brought dogs and looked into the stable. Soon after they left the stable.
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Where would this truck be going?
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Meanwhile, several trucks goes in and out
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and another truck came in.
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A spotted dog is brought in
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The man hand over the spotted dog.
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A man disappears with the spotted dog and soon after returns holding a leg of hanging dog.
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Spotted dog is taken into warehouse. Man tosses the empty collar back into his truck.
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A stable that looks to be a slaughterhouse. What happened to the spotted dog?
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What could be happening inside?
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Inside 2 man were slaughtering meat dogs.
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People skillfully processing the dogs ordered by the customers
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Women: Who’s is this one? Yours?
Man: Yes.
Women: It has lots of fat.
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Man: It’s not my dog. A friend of mine gave him to me. He was feed Janban(food waste).
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According to the customers, this slaughterhouse exclusively distributes dog meats in this town.
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We cautiously went inside the stable.
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At a glance, there seems to be about 50 or so dogs here. They look like typical “meat dogs”.
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Did the spotted dog disappear from here?
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At that moment, a white dog had eye contact with us.
Found pet dog presumably abandoned.
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As we entered inside, we saw dogs that are not typical “meat dogs”.
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Tens of pet dogs of all breeds from unknown sources were being raised together.
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Woman: Sell him to me for 30K KRW ($26 USD) slaughtered and ready.
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Owner sells a small dog for 30K KRW ($26 USD).
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Atmosphere suddenly turns to terror inside the stable
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And then, the tool used to slaughtered the dog is a hammer
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and an industrial blowtorch.
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Women loads the slaughtered dog she just purchased.
Small enough to not even fill a black plastic bag.
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Truck that loaded the bag is leaving the slaughterhouse in a hurry.
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We quickly followed this truck.
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Upon following for about 10 minutes, the truck stopped somewhere near a
major highway.
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Diligently carrying something inside.
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Finally carrying in the black plastic bag.
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What kind of place could it be?
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Slaughtered small dog was supplied to a “Health Food Center”.
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My brother-in-law invited me to go eat dog meat at a well-known restaurant in Guri-city.
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There they were using pet dogs as meat. I couldn’t refuse so I ate it.
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I had only heard about pet dogs being used as meat and since I experienced it myself, I feel very uncomfortable with the corrupted distribution process.
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Pet dogs should not be used as meat. But the reality is pet dogs are being used as meat so I am not happy about that.
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We revisited the scene.
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Undercover: Are you raising this dog?
Owner: No. I am just taking care of him for someone.
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Owner: They are Spitz. Balbari Spitz. If you brush their fur nicely, they will look beautiful.
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Undercover: OK. Can you take one out of the cage for me?
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Owner: Lift the big one. This one is at least 100K KRW ($88 USD) worth of meat.
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Fate of 2 Spitz dogs that could be slaughtered at any moment.
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We have decided to rescue one of them.
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Dog doesn’t seem to realize what is happening to him. He is a very lucky dog.
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Owner’s son: This dog looks dirty because he’s been here but he is a very pretty dog.
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Even after awhile, he seems very nervous.
Undercover: He is salivating. He’s got eye bugger.
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We quickly took him to a Veterinarian.
M Veterinarian, Seoul, Gangnam-Borough.
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Based on examination, he was a purebred 2 years old Spitz.
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Physical examination was performed. Internal organs, respiratory system, and skin were examined.
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To remove fleas, fur had to be trimmed.
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Reporter: Come here!
Vet staff: He can come out now because he has been treated with medication.
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Vet staff: He is very shy and afraid of people he doesn’t know.
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Vet staff: He wants to hide and avoid people.
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Reporter: His skin looks terrible.
Vet staff: Yes. There were a lot of ticks and we had to remove them.
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Veterinarian H.S. Kim: Dogs get abandoned when they get sick. Running into financial trouble while being treated or change in situation also cause abandonment.
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Typical treatment includes medicating with antibiotics when they are infected with germs.
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From that perspective, it’s a nonsense to eat dog meat.
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So why is this happening without any hesitation?
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Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Ministry official: There is no specific department that oversees dog meat issue.
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We regulate restaurants so you might say that we are overseeing the dog meat but there is no department specific for dog meat anywhere.
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For example, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries manages the things growing in the farm and Ministry of Health and Welfare manages it once it leaves the farm.
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We are responsible for any food ingredients and food sanitation law is applicable.
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Reporter: Food sanitation law is applicable? How about the dog meat being sold right now?
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Ministry official: I don’t know about that issue. Call the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
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Government agencies all ignoring the issue.
We looked up the law.
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Based on Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Livestock Industry Act.
Dogs are classified as livestock such as cows and pigs.
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And in cases of abuse, they are protected by the Animal Protection Act.
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However the problem is dog is not classified as livestock under the Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act, Section 2, putting dog meat outside the regulatory control.
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Former member of National Assembly, S.C. Song.
Because dog meat trade is not legalized, breeding process is very unsanitary and we can see the dogs are being very abused.
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There is no measures for infectious diseases and so many dogs are dying from it.
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And if these dogs are disposed of properly there will be no problem but these dogs are being distributed as meat.
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That’s not the fault of the people but the fault of the government who left the issue in a legal blind spot.
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Since the situation is such as this, there are many places that pretends not to know what’s going on and distributes pet dogs as meat.
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OO Pet Dog Auction Market.
Opening once a week. We visited this market after hearing a rumor that something suspicious is going on.
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Located in Gyeonggido-province, this place is well known among the pet dog business community.
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With annual membership fee of 50K KRW ($44 USD), people who buys and sells dogs are mostly pet dog business operators.
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Man: We have permit and we pay taxes. There are many places like this auction markets.
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Reporter: Do you know about the OO Pet Dog Auction market?
Namyangju-city official: Yes. We know about that.
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Reporter: Isn’t there anything you can do about it?
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Namyangju-city official: No. There is no law regulating it. We visit the market occasionally to check for any abandoned dogs being distributed.
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But we saw mostly meat dogs being traded there.
Pet dogs are also being sold by the pet dog breeders.
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Majority of pet dog breeders have business licenses.
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However, meat dog farmers trade their dogs at the market but they often don’t have business licenses.
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Reporter: Can’t you ban the distribution of meat dogs there?
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Namyangju-city official: No. We can’t ban them. There is nothing we can do except to regulate the sanitation or the restaurants.
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Auctioneer: OK. We will start at 100K KRW ($88 USD). 110K, 120K, 130K, No 42 Sold!
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Auctioneer: OK. Again we will start at 100K KRW ($88 USD). 110K, 120K, 130K KRW, No 31 Sold!
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Auctioneer: OK. Maltese female puppy. Maltese. No 35 Sold!
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Auctioneer: Pomeranian. Pomeranian. Will start at 200K KRW ($177 USD).
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Scene of auction market with high dollar trades. You must have a pet dog business license to be admitted.
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However, outside the auction market atmosphere is a little different.
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Auctioneer: Female 30K KRW ($27 USD), 40K, 50K, 60K, 70K, 70K KRW.
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Auctioneer: OK. Be bold! 4 dogs at 120K KRW ($106 USD).
0:15:19.000,0:15:25.000
From 10K KRW to 4 dogs at 120K KRW. The people outside seems to be more generous.
0:15:26.000,0:15:34.000
At that moment, a women who is closely observing the dogs in the cages. She stands out from the crowd of mostly middle aged men.
0:15:35.000,0:15:39.000
We followed her to the parking lot where her car is parked.
0:15:40.000,0:15:46.000
A big dog purchased outside the auction market is in her car.
0:15:47.000,0:15:54.000
We followed her very closely.
0:15:55.000,0:16:00.000
She must have purchased the dog for meat.
0:16:01.000,0:16:05.000
Isn’t this the way to the Moran Market?
0:16:06.000,0:16:10.000
Car is heading towards Seongnam-city.
0:16:11.000,0:16:16.000
However, we lost her. First attempt at chase failed.
0:16:17.000,0:16:22.000
With Boknal (Dog days of summer)around the corner, we visited the auction market again.
0:16:23.000,0:16:29.000
We saw the same car that we failed to chase a week ago.
0:16:30.000,0:16:36.000
Auction market is a lot more busy this time.
0:16:45.000,0:16:52.000
Among the crowd who’s trying to buy big and cheap dogs, we found that same women.
0:16:53.000,0:16:58.000
Wearing the same clothes as the last time.
0:16:59.000,0:17:04.000
We change our strategy this time.
0:17:05.000,0:17:12.000
Let’s split here. Let’s go right. We will go first.
0:17:13.000,0:17:19.000
After splitting, team A followed her very closely.
0:17:20.000,0:17:28.000
The place the car was headed was Moran Market in Seongnam-city same direction she was heading last time.
0:17:29.000,0:17:36.000
Moran Market, Seongnam-city, Gyeonggido-province.
The car parked in front of a “Health Food Center”.
0:17:39.000,0:17:47.000
2 dogs purchased at the auction market is being dragged out of the car.
0:17:53.000,0:18:00.000
Immediately, we met with the “Health Food Center” people in order to confirm.
0:18:01.000,0:18:07.000
Merchant: You shouldn’t broadcast this stuff. It hurts our business.
0:18:08.000,0:18:14.000
Do you know why we are frustrated? You guys come again and again asking the same questions.
0:18:15.000,0:18:20.000
Why do you come in the busy summer time?
0:18:21.000,0:18:28.000
Reporter: We recorded the dogs from auction market arriving here. Is it cheaper to buy the dogs from the auction market?
0:18:29.000,0:18:34.000
Merchant left saying that they have more time in the winter.
0:18:35.000,0:18:42.000
Moran Market Merchant Association Representative:
Pet dogs, small dogs are not supplied here. We do not buy nor sell those dogs.
0:18:43.000,0:18:51.000
If we put the dirty or dogs with skin problems in the cage, it can contaminate and no one would want to buy them.
0:18:52.000,0:18:57.000
Moran market distributes 30% of the country’s dog meat.
0:18:58.000,0:19:03.000
Every summer time, buyers and sellers gather here from all around the country.
0:19:04.000,0:19:09.000
Can this industry be self-regulated?
0:19:10.000,0:19:15.000
We tried to find out if the abandoned dogs and pet dogs’ distribution is being blocked.
0:19:16.000,0:19:23.000
Customer: This is too skinny.
Merchant: I will give him to you for 250K KRW ($221 USD).
0:19:24.000,0:19:31.000
A women looking for a cheap small dog. But typical meat dog is over 200K KRW ($177 USD).
0:19:32.000,0:19:37.000
She went into another shop.
0:19:38.000,0:19:45.000
Merchant: There is nothing for 150K KRW ($133 USD). The cheapest ones are 170, 180K KRW.
0:19:46.000,0:19:52.000
Another haggling takes place in front of mid-sized dogs.
0:19:53.000,0:20:07.000
Merchant: Which one? Small one? 130K, 140K KRW ($123 USD).
Women: Why is it so expensive?
0:20:08.000,0:20:14.000
Women with tight budget. Trying to find a bargain.
0:20:15.000,0:20:25.000
Women: I can get good price here, right?
Merchant: What?
Women: Dog.
Merchant: We are sold out.
0:20:26.000,0:20:33.000
Women: How much is this? How much is that one?
Merchant: About 130K KRW ($115 USD).
0:20:34.000,0:20:40.000
Merchant: It’s only 100K KRW ($88 USD). Lots of meat.
Women: This is a big dog, isn’t it?
0:20:41.000,0:20:47.000
Merchant: No. It’s a small dog. Balbari dog is tasty.
Captured a proof that small pet dog are being sold!
0:20:48.000,0:20:53.000
Could Moran Market be the only place that sells pet dogs as meat?
0:20:54.000,0:21:01.000
Animal Rights Organizations in Seoul.
In this environment, number of civil complaint calls animal organizations receive each day is in dozens.
0:21:02.000,0:21:11.000
Animal Rights Organization:
Dog eaters want to think that they are eating only the dogs raised for the purpose of consumption such as yellow dogs or big Korean native dogs.
0:21:12.000,0:21:21.000
However, when we look at the facts from the slaughterhouses and the markets, all kinds of dogs are being used as meat.
0:21:22.000,0:21:31.000
They are abandoned dogs from animal shelters, pet dogs sold by their owners, dogs from commercial purebred dog farms that becomes sick or lose their ability to produce puppies.
0:21:32.000,0:21:39.000
All these dogs are slaughtered for meat and become our food and that’s the reality.
0:21:40.000,0:21:48.000
Scene of dog meat distribution outside of common sense.
Do you know what you are eating?
0:21:49.000,0:21:55.000
However, this is not the only inconvenient truth.
0:21:56.000,0:22:03.000
M Veterinarian, Seoul, Gangnam-Borough.
Test results from the Spitz came back.
0:22:04.000,0:22:10.000
Upon reviewing the test results, it was as the vets feared.
0:22:11.000,0:22:17.000
His stress index was extremely high and
0:22:18.000,0:22:27.000
Veterinarian: This dog has a big problem. External parasites such as fleas and ticks are commonly found in dogs abandoned for awhile and this dog also is infected with these parasites.
0:22:28.000,0:22:39.000
However, the big problem is that this dog is infected with a parasite that lives in the blood called “heartworms”.
0:22:40.000,0:22:48.000
This Spitz with fatal disease was about to be served as food.
0:22:49.000,0:23:00.000
Veterinarian: The treatment is not completed in one try. The medication is administered little by little over time every week
0:23:01.000,0:23:10.000
and after these treatments, several months later when you determine that the dog is fully recovered, he needs to be retested.
0:23:11.000,0:23:20.000
If the dog is fully recovered he will be OK. However if the heartworm larva is still present, the treatment process must begin again.
0:23:21.000,0:23:26.000
What’s ahead is dozens of antibiotics and medicine injections.
0:23:27.000,0:23:34.000
If this dog wasn’t rescued and instead became a meat, what could have happened?
0:23:35.000,0:23:42.000
Professior Yong-Geun Ahn (Also known as “Dr. Dogmeat”):
Birds have “Avian influenza” and hoof footed animals have “Foot and Mouth Diseases”
0:23:43.000,0:23:48.000
but dogs don’t have disease that can be transmitted to human.
0:23:49.000,0:23:55.000
However, if the dogs are over treated with antibiotics or was a subject of animal testing, then there might be some problem.
0:23:56.000,0:24:02.000
Headline “What’s going on in the animal shelter? Dogs killed the day checked in, dog head found…”
0:24:03.000,0:24:09.000
Last September, a suspicious incident took place at an animal shelter in Gumi-city.
0:24:10.000,0:24:16.000
9/4/2011, Gumi-city Animal Shelter Infiltration.
There is a lot of problem here.
0:24:17.000,0:24:25.000
Please show us underneath here.
In this animal shelter, dogs slaughtered and cut up in pieces were found in the freezer.
0:24:26.000,0:24:32.000
Gumi-city official: We had to select a new shelter operator for 2012.
0:24:33.000,0:24:41.000
Therefore, at the end of last year we selected a contractor for the abandoned animal shelter operation which excludes Gumi-city Wild Animal Protection Association.
0:24:42.000,0:24:49.000
Gumi-city Veterinarian Association is selected as the contractor to run the animal shelter starting in 2012.
0:24:50.000,0:24:57.000
And they are operating the shelter very well right now.
0:24:58.000,0:25:06.000
If they realized the seriousness of the abandoned animals distribution problem, would they have made that dangerous choice?
Gumi-city Animal Shelter.
0:25:07.000,0:25:14.000
Reporter: Is this the animal shelter?
Shelter manager: Yes. This is Gumi-city animal shelter.
0:25:15.000,0:25:21.000
Reporter: Did the shelter that used to be in Seonsan moved here?
0:25:22.000,0:25:30.000
Shelter manager: No. The shelter in Seonsan is shut down. This is a new shelter contracted with the city to be run by the Gumi-city Veterinarian Association.
0:25:31.000,0:25:36.000
Since when?
Starting January 1 of this year.
0:25:37.000,0:25:43.000
Abandoned animal’s shelter located right next to the veterinary office.
0:25:44.000,0:25:51.000
It looked relatively comfortable and safe.
0:26:00.000,0:26:09.000
For abandoned and sick animals, there seems to be no better place than this
0:26:11.000,0:26:19.000
Vet./Gumi-city Animal Shelter Director:
We bring in about 50 animals. Our estimate was based on 30 animals but it turned out to be about 50.
0:26:20.000,0:26:27.000
Therefore, the facility is crowded and the people are experiencing inconvenience.
0:26:28.000,0:26:36.000
So I have asked the city to increase their budget for the shelter.
0:26:37.000,0:26:46.000
It’s on a revised supplementary budget but the department in charge has a limited authority so that’s the situation right now.
0:26:47.000,0:26:56.000
However, how many abandoned dogs are enjoying this kind of luxury?
0:27:00.000,0:27:08.000
Animal Rights Organization:
If we can find another shelter like the Gumi-city, we will demand a shut-down but so far we are not finding them.
0:27:09.000,0:27:16.000
However, what is certain is that less known shelters are secretly selling shelter dogs as meat or sending them away.
0:27:17.000,0:27:26.000
That’s because of the cost of taking care of them during the required holding period and the affective criticism about the euthanasia from the society.
0:27:27.000,0:27:35.000
In order to avoid these burden, dogs are sent off for adoption to just anybody and in reality these dogs are resold as dog meat or to breeding farms.
0:27:36.000,0:27:42.000
Last year, an illegal dog slaughterhouse in Namyangju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
0:27:43.000,0:27:49.000
An animal rights organization reported a shocking scene of this slaughterhouse.
0:27:50.000,0:27:56.000
Excrement piled up and hardened over the years. Dogs being raised to be eaten in this tragic place.
0:27:57.000,0:28:03.000
Atrocious environment where we can’t even tell if this is food for dogs or their body parts.
0:28:04.000,0:28:10.000
Dog tails.
0:28:12.000,0:28:19.000
Reporter: Slaughterhouse owner is currently not in business. Right?
Namyangju-city official: Right. He is not in business.
0:28:20.000,0:28:28.000
Reporter: Have you confirmed it?
Namyangju-city official: Of course. In order to avoid friction with the animal rights organizations and their demands.
0:28:29.000,0:28:36.000
And in reality, we can’t stop him by force from raising those dogs. It’s outside of our authority.
0:28:38.000,0:28:45.000
But in order to reduce the friction with the animal rights organizations and because it’s a civil complaint, we have requested to the slaughterhouse owner.
0:28:46.000,0:28:52.000
We visited that same dog slaughterhouse.
0:28:53.000,0:28:59.000
The reality was different than what the city official told us.
0:29:00.000,0:29:08.000
It stinks here. These looks like the evidences of slaughter. It’s all bones.
0:29:09.000,0:29:17.000
These are all cleaning detergents. It looks like he was trying to clean up the place.
0:29:18.000,0:29:25.000
2 years has passed and the excrement floor has gotten even higher and the environment was just as before.
0:29:26.000,0:29:31.000
The only difference was that the dogs’ health condition has seriously deteriorated.
0:29:32.000,0:29:37.000
Every dogs were suffering from eye disease that is known to show on sick dogs.
0:29:38.000,0:29:43.000
We sent the video of a dog with the most serious condition to a veterinarian.
0:29:44.000,0:29:49.000
Dogs that have been neglected for years from illegal dog farms.
0:29:50.000,0:29:54.000
What is wrong with their health?
0:29:55.000,0:30:02.000
Veterinarian Kim: This dog looks like he is infected with disease with neurological symptoms.
0:30:03.000,0:30:08.000
Canine distemper is a fatal disease for dogs.
0:30:09.000,0:30:14.000
It’s known to be infectious with highest fatality.
0:30:15.000,0:30:21.000
First clinical sign starts with the respiratory system but as it progresses further
0:30:22.000,0:30:29.000
as you can see in this dog, head is showing “wry neck” symptom (dysmyotonia) to one direction
0:30:30.000,0:30:39.000
or continuous head trembling. With these symptoms, all other organs, lung, gastrointestinal tract can be dangerous.
0:30:40.000,0:30:47.000
We requested a rescue from an animal rights organization.
0:30:48.000,0:30:55.000
Would people still be hungry for dog meat after seeing this scene?
0:30:56.000,0:31:02.000
If we don’t rush all the dogs could become infected.
0:31:05.000,0:31:11.000
There were dogs who has already been infected.
0:31:12.000,0:31:19.000
We have to disinfect this completely.
Yes. We brought disinfectant.
0:31:20.000,0:31:25.000
Let’s go in.
0:31:26.000,0:31:32.000
Barely moved the dog that can’t even stand or walk.
0:31:35.000,0:31:42.000
Let’s disinfect again although I have already done it.
0:31:43.000,0:31:50.000
Quickly collecting body fluid. However, the state of paralysis.
0:31:51.000,0:31:58.000
His condition is serious.
0:31:59.000,0:32:06.000
Veterinarian decided there is no option and prepares for a euthanasia.
0:32:07.000,0:32:14.000
He looks terrible.
0:32:22.000,0:32:30.000
First he is sedated. A little bit later, anesthetic was injected.
0:32:51.000,0:32:59.000
There is definitely a problem with eating animals infected with this disease.
0:33:00.000,0:33:14.000
Infected muscles and organs can potentially infect people who eats them.
0:33:15.000,0:33:24.000
Namyangju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
We found the owner who is working at a cornfield nearby.
0:33:27.000,0:33:34.000
When we asked if he is the owner of this illegal slaughterhouse? He passively answers, “Yes”.
0:33:35.000,0:33:41.000
Owner: My old mother passed away. I have a lot of debt.
0:33:42.000,0:33:48.000
My only daughter got into an automobile accident about 3 years ago.
0:33:49.000,0:33:55.000
He was saying that in order to make money, he had no choice.
0:33:56.000,0:34:02.000
Reporter: Where did you sell your dogs at?
Owner: At Moran Market in Seongnam-city. There is plenty of places to sell over there.
0:34:03.000,0:34:09.000
Reporter: You were selling your dogs at Moran Market?
Owner: Yes.
0:34:10.000,0:34:15.000
Reporter: How about the dogs you slaughter here?
Owner: I don’t slaughter much here.
0:34:16.000,0:34:23.000
Reporter: So what do you do with the ones you slaughter here?
Owner: They are sold locally.
0:34:24.000,0:34:30.000
Moran Market, Seongnam-city, Gyeonggido-province.
This is where the owner said he sold his dogs.
0:34:31.000,0:34:37.000
If the merchants here purchased those dogs what could have happened?
0:34:38.000,0:34:44.000
Moran Market Merchant Association Representative:
People watch TV programs and they ask us about it
0:34:45.000,0:34:51.000
and even our members who watched the program said they have seen the story about this slaughterhouse in Gyeonggido that distributes sick dogs, abandoned dogs.
0:34:52.000,0:34:59.000
That’s because they are operating in the shade, it’s possible to have negative effects.
0:35:00.000,0:35:08.000
Y.J. Chun (63 years old)
As a business owner myself, I don’t even know what to say. They shouldn’t be doing that kind of business.
0:35:09.000,0:35:16.000
S.J. Bae(62 years old)
I can’t eat that. Of course not. Dog meat is eaten to be healthy.
0:35:17.000,0:35:24.000
E.M. Hong(60 years old)
We are eating these dog meats and it’s not possible for us to know what we are eating.
0:35:25.000,0:35:31.000
They kill animals like that and wish for the prosperity of their descendents. That’s thieves’ greedy mind.
0:35:32.000,0:35:37.000
You people who cares about dogs! Why don’t you be good to your parents instead?
0:35:38.000,0:35:44.000
As long as people who eat dog meat exist, the dispute regarding the dog meat probably won’t end.
0:35:45.000,0:35:51.000
Indeed, how can we resolve this issue so that our food supply is safe?
0:35:52.000,0:35:58.000
Professor Yong Geun Ahn (also known as “Dr. Dogmeat”)
The solution is simple. Just classify dogs as livestock in the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”.
0:35:59.000,0:36:05.000
Because the dogs not slaughtered can’t be distributed nor sold.
0:36:06.000,0:36:14.000
Animal Rights Organization.
When you look at the breeding and slaughtering condition of the legal livestocks such as pigs, cows, chickens, it is very poor, dirty and inhumane.
0:36:15.000,0:36:22.000
In this environment, adding companion animals such as dogs to the classification of livestock
0:36:23.000,0:36:30.000
and inhumanely slaughter them. It’s time that we ask ourselves if this is the direction that we want our society to move towards?
0:36:31.000,0:36:36.000
Then what is the position of the government?
0:36:37.000,0:36:44.000
Korea Food and Drug Administration.
We are reporting about dog meat. Can you direct us to the department that handles this issue?
0:36:45.000,0:36:52.000
KFDA: We don’t manage by specific food type. So there is no department that handles that.
0:36:53.000,0:37:00.000
Then regarding the slaughtering..
KFDA: You have to ask Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for slaughtering issue.
0:37:01.000,0:37:07.000
KFDA: However if you were to ask them, you will get a response saying that dogs are not livestock used for meat.
0:37:08.000,0:37:15.000
Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
MFAFF: Dog has to be classified as a livestock in order for there to be a department in charge.
0:37:16.000,0:37:26.000
There is no regulation regarding the approval of slaughter and the method. Dog meat does not fall under the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”. Therefore it is difficult to regulate.
0:37:27.000,0:37:33.000
Dog meat issue left in the legal blind spot for the reason there is no base for punishment between:
0:37:34.000,0:37:41.000
Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Korea Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
0:37:42.000,0:37:48.000
Whengsung Cow Market, Whengsung, Gangwondo-province.
Then how is the case for the livestock that is managed by the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”?
0:37:49.000,0:37:54.000
We examined the cow’s distribution tracking system.
0:37:55.000,0:38:03.000
Whengsung Cow Market Representative.
Cow identification record system tracks cow’s birth, slaughter, sale, processing by the number attached to their ear.
0:38:04.000,0:38:10.000
When a problem arise, we can track it. It’s a safety device.
0:38:11.000,0:38:16.000
If you compare it to human, it’s just like social security number.
0:38:17.000,0:38:24.000
OO Korean beef, Paju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
Cow identification record system that started test implementation in 2004 has been around for 8 years now.
0:38:25.000,0:38:32.000
Consumers can find out where it was born, where it was raised and who raised it.
0:38:33.000,0:38:41.000
OO Korean beef owner, C.H. Kyung.
Using the barcode number, identification is provided for 100% just like people’s social security number.
0:38:42.000,0:38:56.000
So using the Smartphone, consumers can scan the barcode and find out the shipper, origin, farming method, slaughter date and even the location.
0:39:09.000,0:39:16.000
OO Dog Meat Restaurant, Anyang-city, Gyeonggido-province.
Dog meat identification record system. Can this work?
0:39:17.000,0:39:24.000
We visited a dog meat restaurant in Gyeonggido-province.
0:39:24.000,0:39:31.000
They offered to show where their dogs are raised if their customers wanted to see.
0:39:36.000,0:39:43.000
Customers also wanted to express their opinions about dog meat consumption.
0:39:44.000,0:39:50.000
Customer, C.M. Park.
If we raise dogs like the pigs in sanitary conditions there is no problem with eating dogs.
0:39:51.000,0:39:57.000
So if we just improve the problems in the dog farms and make it clean then there is no problem with eating dogs.
0:39:58.000,0:40:04.000
If anything, we should explore the opportunities to export dog meat to other countries.
0:40:05.000,0:40:09.000
Problems in the distribution and processing has a room for improvement.
0:40:10.000,0:40:18.000
This dog meat restaurant’s marketing strategy was to open their dog farm to the public.
0:40:19.000,0:40:30.000
Allowing restaurant customers to see with transparency the dog farm’s sanitation and whether or not the dogs have disease.
0:40:37.000,0:40:45.000
OO Dog meat restaurant owner, S.M. Jang.
I think dogs, cows and pigs are all the same. Therefore, we raise and slaughters dogs with the same method as cows and pigs.
0:40:46.000,0:40:53.000
This has to be legalized in order for us to operate rightfully.
0:40:54.000,0:41:01.000
We pay the taxes accurately and run our business. We want to be fairly assessed for our cleanliness.
0:41:02.000,0:41:09.000
We really want a chance to promote the dog meat’s effectiveness and the superiority to our customers.
0:41:10.000,0:41:18.000
Dog meat consumption legalization law has been submitted twice. But it was abandoned both times.
0:41:19.000,0:41:26.000
Former member of the National Assembly, S.C. Song.
Government has the responsibility to protect the health of its citizens and bad practices must be corrected.
0:41:27.000,0:41:33.000
Also even if it is wanted by a minority, it needs to be legislated and legalized.
0:41:34.000,0:41:40.000
Leaving what the citizens are doing as illegal is the fault of the nation.
0:41:41.000,0:41:47.000
Headline “Dogs on the ground with fur removed…boiled in a pot immediately after slaughter”
0:41:48.000,0:41:53.000
Meanwhile, last month another case broke out at a hillside of Ilsan, Gyeonggido-province.
0:41:54.000,0:41:59.000
What could have happened?
OO Farm, Goyang-city, Gyeonggido-province.
0:42:00.000,0:42:09.000
This time the police in this jurisdiction reported this case.
0:42:10.000,0:42:14.000
Police: Stay where you are.
0:42:15.000,0:42:22.000
Police: Pull the blood vessel here. You pulled out the blood vessel.
Pull it out.
0:42:23.000,0:42:30.000
During the processing of slaughtering, water was injected into the blood vessel in order to inflate the weight of the dogs.
0:42:31.000,0:42:40.000
Police: Where is the entrance? Is this the blood vessel?
Worker: Yes.
0:42:41.000,0:42:48.000
Police: You did that to all the dogs. Didn’t you?
0:42:49.000,0:42:57.000
Worker: We electrocuted the dog and upon customer’s request we drained the blood from the dog.
0:42:58.000,0:43:05.000
We injected the water in order to drain the blood and why would anyone report this?
0:43:06.000,0:43:11.000
Everyone does this. You can check any slaughterhouses in the country.
0:43:12.000,0:43:18.000
Number of dogs they slaughtered and inflated weight is 730.
Police was dispatched for the crime of taking unfair profit of 210,000K KRW ($ 185K USD).
0:43:19.000,0:43:24.000
Violation of law related to the water quality and aquatic ecosystem conservation and fraud charge.
0:43:25.000,0:43:31.000
How was the case handled? 2 days after the case broke out, we revisited the scene of crime.
0:43:32.000,0:43:38.000
Sure enough. Smoke is rising from the chimney.
0:43:39.000,0:43:44.000
We went inside.
0:43:45.000,0:43:51.000
As expected, something is boiling in the iron cauldrons.
We asked what they were boiling.
0:43:52.000,0:43:59.000
Worker: We are making meat broth.
Reporter: Dogs are used for meat broth too?
0:44:00.000,0:44:07.000
In order to make dog meat soup, you have to boil them first.
0:44:08.000,0:44:14.000
Talking gibberish saying he is making meat broth.
0:44:15.000,0:44:22.000
Inside we found that water hose (used for injecting water into blood vessel) and a dog trapped in a cage.
0:44:23.000,0:44:29.000
His claim that he removed all the dogs was a lie.
0:44:30.000,0:44:36.000
After being fined, they have resumed their operation.
0:44:37.000,0:44:44.000
OO Slaughterhouse Worker.
The owner knows about the injecting water into the dogs.
0:44:45.000,0:44:56.000
We get into trouble if we say the wrong thing to the owner. We just did what was told.
0:44:57.000,0:45:03.000
That’s the extent of our involvement.
0:45:04.000,0:45:11.000
If you want to know more about the practice of injecting water, go visit other slaughterhouses.
0:45:12.000,0:45:20.000
Reporter: Is there other slaughterhouses in this area?
Worker: Yes. They are everywhere. Wondang,…etc.
0:45:21.000,0:45:27.000
Do you think we are the only one injecting water into dogs?
That’s not true.
0:45:28.000,0:45:34.000
Go anywhere! Go visit Moran Market in Seongnam-city!
0:45:35.000,0:45:40.000
Ilsandong -Borough Office.
Reporter: I need to ask some questions. This is TV Chosun.
0:45:41.000,0:45:47.000
I want to ask about the slaughterhouse dog water injection case in Seongsukdong.
0:45:48.000,0:45:54.000
We visited there to check and they have openly resumed their operation.
0:45:55.000,0:46:03.000
Ilsandong-Borough:
We can’t crack down on the case because the dog meat punishment law is in the legal blind spot.
0:46:04.000,0:46:10.000
Therefore, my understanding is that we processed that case as the violation of waste water.
0:46:11.000,0:46:19.000
Reporter: Is there any way to impose sanctions?
Ilsandog-Borough: It’s in the legal blind spot. So it is the Korean lawmakers’ job.
0:46:20.000,0:46:30.000
We can only carry out the law. Enforcing the law has to be concrete and we have to argue accurately based on the situation.
0:46:31.000,0:46:39.000
Because we have to punish them and Korea is a constitutional nation.
0:46:42.000,0:46:50.000
People who didn’t want to know what environment the dogs lived, what diseases they suffered and through what process they ended up on our table.
0:46:52.000,0:46:59.000
That’s because the truth about the dog meat is extremely inconvenient.
0:47:02.000,0:47:11.000
Veterinarian H.S. Kim:
There is a pros and cons debate about dog meat consumption between the pet owners and the non-pet owners .
0:47:12.000,0:47:22.000
However, I think the most important issue is the fundamental concern for the lives that live and commune together with us.
0:47:23.000,0:47:30.000
This is the main issue about the companion animals and our food culture.
0:47:31.000,0:47:39.000
While we are chasing the status of dogs left in the legal blind spot, our health is being threatened as ever.
0:47:40.000,0:47:48.000
Is our hope to strive for a happy food supply still just a dream?
Video: http://youtu.be/A3WNJFd1Cl0!
0:00:05.000,0:00:15.000
Scorching hot July afternoon. Today is Boknal (Dog days of summer in Korea).
0:00:16.000,0:00:22.000
Nutty smell of perilla seeds is rushing the people’s footsteps.
0:00:23.000,0:00:30.000
People seeking tasty food and taking care of their health without questioning or thinking.
0:00:31.000,0:00:37.000
Dog meat is digested the best, it’s soft and easy to eat. Therefore, I eat it often.
0:00:38.000,0:00:44.000
After eating few bowls of this soup, I can beat the summer heat and stay energetic.
0:00:45.000,0:00:57.000
Dog meat was eaten from the time of our ancestors so there is no need to argue whether it’s legal or illegal…because it’s just food.
0:00:58.000,0:01:06.000
Today we are going to tell you about the inconvenient truth about dog meat, the symbol of health food.
0:01:07.000,0:01:15.000
Incheon-city.
We received an information from someone who quit eating dog meat as a result dumbfounding experience.
0:01:16.000,0:01:22.000
He said the dog meat his mother-in-law made for him was shocking.
0:01:23.000,0:01:30.000
Informant C.M. Kim (Alias) (38 years old).
This place had dogs. I am not sure if they raise or just sell these dogs.
0:01:31.000,0:01:45.000
Typical pet dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Spitz, Poodles and even Dalmatians were being slaughtered.
0:01:46.000,0:01:54.000
I was curious where these dogs were being distributed. Upon following, it was a local “Health Food Center”.
0:01:55.000,0:02:01.000
Shocking information about pet dogs slaughter.
0:02:02.000,0:02:07.000
Nonsan-city.
We left for Nonsan-city, Chungnam-province where the informer witnessed this scene.
0:02:09.000,0:02:15.000
We found a large warehouse building.
0:02:16.000,0:02:22.000
We staked out behind the building and gazed at the livestock stable.
0:02:23.000,0:02:33.000
3 or 4 man brought dogs and looked into the stable. Soon after they left the stable.
0:02:34.000,0:02:40.000
Where would this truck be going?
0:02:41.000,0:02:46.000
Meanwhile, several trucks goes in and out
0:02:47.000,0:02:52.000
and another truck came in.
0:02:53.000,0:02:57.000
A spotted dog is brought in
0:02:58.000,0:03:02.000
The man hand over the spotted dog.
0:03:03.000,0:03:10.000
A man disappears with the spotted dog and soon after returns holding a leg of hanging dog.
0:03:11.000,0:03:17.000
Spotted dog is taken into warehouse. Man tosses the empty collar back into his truck.
0:03:18.000,0:03:26.000
A stable that looks to be a slaughterhouse. What happened to the spotted dog?
0:03:27.000,0:03:33.000
What could be happening inside?
0:03:34.000,0:03:40.000
Inside 2 man were slaughtering meat dogs.
0:03:41.000,0:03:47.000
People skillfully processing the dogs ordered by the customers
0:03:48.000,0:03:55.000
Women: Who’s is this one? Yours?
Man: Yes.
Women: It has lots of fat.
0:03:56.000,0:04:03.000
Man: It’s not my dog. A friend of mine gave him to me. He was feed Janban(food waste).
0:04:04.000,0:04:10.000
According to the customers, this slaughterhouse exclusively distributes dog meats in this town.
0:04:11.000,0:04:15.000
We cautiously went inside the stable.
0:04:16.000,0:04:22.000
At a glance, there seems to be about 50 or so dogs here. They look like typical “meat dogs”.
0:04:23.000,0:04:28.000
Did the spotted dog disappear from here?
0:04:29.000,0:04:36.000
At that moment, a white dog had eye contact with us.
Found pet dog presumably abandoned.
0:04:37.000,0:04:44.000
As we entered inside, we saw dogs that are not typical “meat dogs”.
0:04:45.000,0:04:56.000
Tens of pet dogs of all breeds from unknown sources were being raised together.
0:05:00.000,0:05:10.000
Woman: Sell him to me for 30K KRW ($26 USD) slaughtered and ready.
0:05:11.000,0:05:16.000
Owner sells a small dog for 30K KRW ($26 USD).
0:05:17.000,0:05:26.000
Atmosphere suddenly turns to terror inside the stable
0:05:27.000,0:05:39.000
And then, the tool used to slaughtered the dog is a hammer
0:05:59.000,0:06:03.000
and an industrial blowtorch.
0:06:05.000,0:06:15.000
Women loads the slaughtered dog she just purchased.
Small enough to not even fill a black plastic bag.
0:06:16.000,0:06:23.000
Truck that loaded the bag is leaving the slaughterhouse in a hurry.
0:06:24.000,0:06:29.000
We quickly followed this truck.
0:06:30.000,0:06:37.000
Upon following for about 10 minutes, the truck stopped somewhere near a
major highway.
0:06:38.000,0:06:43.000
Diligently carrying something inside.
0:06:44.000,0:06:48.000
Finally carrying in the black plastic bag.
0:06:49.000,0:06:53.000
What kind of place could it be?
0:06:54.000,0:06:59.000
Slaughtered small dog was supplied to a “Health Food Center”.
0:07:00.000,0:07:06.000
My brother-in-law invited me to go eat dog meat at a well-known restaurant in Guri-city.
0:07:07.000,0:07:14.000
There they were using pet dogs as meat. I couldn’t refuse so I ate it.
0:07:15.000,0:07:28.000
I had only heard about pet dogs being used as meat and since I experienced it myself, I feel very uncomfortable with the corrupted distribution process.
0:07:29.000,0:07:40.000
Pet dogs should not be used as meat. But the reality is pet dogs are being used as meat so I am not happy about that.
0:07:41.000,0:07:45.000
We revisited the scene.
0:07:46.000,0:07:52.000
Undercover: Are you raising this dog?
Owner: No. I am just taking care of him for someone.
0:07:53.000,0:07:59.000
Owner: They are Spitz. Balbari Spitz. If you brush their fur nicely, they will look beautiful.
0:08:00.000,0:08:07.000
Undercover: OK. Can you take one out of the cage for me?
0:08:08.000,0:08:14.000
Owner: Lift the big one. This one is at least 100K KRW ($88 USD) worth of meat.
0:08:15.000,0:08:20.000
Fate of 2 Spitz dogs that could be slaughtered at any moment.
0:08:21.000,0:08:26.000
We have decided to rescue one of them.
0:08:27.000,0:08:36.000
Dog doesn’t seem to realize what is happening to him. He is a very lucky dog.
0:08:37.000,0:08:44.000
Owner’s son: This dog looks dirty because he’s been here but he is a very pretty dog.
0:08:45.000,0:08:59.000
Even after awhile, he seems very nervous.
Undercover: He is salivating. He’s got eye bugger.
0:09:00.000,0:09:06.000
We quickly took him to a Veterinarian.
M Veterinarian, Seoul, Gangnam-Borough.
0:09:07.000,0:09:13.000
Based on examination, he was a purebred 2 years old Spitz.
0:09:14.000,0:09:21.000
Physical examination was performed. Internal organs, respiratory system, and skin were examined.
0:09:22.000,0:09:30.000
To remove fleas, fur had to be trimmed.
0:09:31.000,0:09:40.000
Reporter: Come here!
Vet staff: He can come out now because he has been treated with medication.
0:09:41.000,0:09:49.000
Vet staff: He is very shy and afraid of people he doesn’t know.
0:09:50.000,0:09:57.000
Vet staff: He wants to hide and avoid people.
0:09:58.000,0:10:10.000
Reporter: His skin looks terrible.
Vet staff: Yes. There were a lot of ticks and we had to remove them.
0:10:11.000,0:10:20.000
Veterinarian H.S. Kim: Dogs get abandoned when they get sick. Running into financial trouble while being treated or change in situation also cause abandonment.
0:10:21.000,0:10:32.000
Typical treatment includes medicating with antibiotics when they are infected with germs.
0:10:33.000,0:10:40.000
From that perspective, it’s a nonsense to eat dog meat.
0:10:41.000,0:10:47.000
So why is this happening without any hesitation?
0:10:48.000,0:10:55.000
Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Ministry official: There is no specific department that oversees dog meat issue.
0:10:56.000,0:11:03.000
We regulate restaurants so you might say that we are overseeing the dog meat but there is no department specific for dog meat anywhere.
0:11:04.000,0:11:10.000
For example, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries manages the things growing in the farm and Ministry of Health and Welfare manages it once it leaves the farm.
0:11:11.000,0:11:16.000
We are responsible for any food ingredients and food sanitation law is applicable.
0:11:17.000,0:11:22.000
Reporter: Food sanitation law is applicable? How about the dog meat being sold right now?
0:11:23.000,0:11:28.000
Ministry official: I don’t know about that issue. Call the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
0:11:29.000,0:11:33.000
Government agencies all ignoring the issue.
We looked up the law.
0:11:34.000,0:11:38.000
Based on Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Livestock Industry Act.
Dogs are classified as livestock such as cows and pigs.
0:11:39.000,0:11:44.000
And in cases of abuse, they are protected by the Animal Protection Act.
0:11:45.000,0:11:54.000
However the problem is dog is not classified as livestock under the Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act, Section 2, putting dog meat outside the regulatory control.
0:11:55.000,0:12:04.000
Former member of National Assembly, S.C. Song.
Because dog meat trade is not legalized, breeding process is very unsanitary and we can see the dogs are being very abused.
0:12:05.000,0:12:12.000
There is no measures for infectious diseases and so many dogs are dying from it.
0:12:13.000,0:12:21.000
And if these dogs are disposed of properly there will be no problem but these dogs are being distributed as meat.
0:12:22.000,0:12:28.000
That’s not the fault of the people but the fault of the government who left the issue in a legal blind spot.
0:12:29.000,0:12:35.000
Since the situation is such as this, there are many places that pretends not to know what’s going on and distributes pet dogs as meat.
0:12:36.000,0:12:42.000
OO Pet Dog Auction Market.
Opening once a week. We visited this market after hearing a rumor that something suspicious is going on.
0:12:43.000,0:12:48.000
Located in Gyeonggido-province, this place is well known among the pet dog business community.
0:12:49.000,0:12:55.000
With annual membership fee of 50K KRW ($44 USD), people who buys and sells dogs are mostly pet dog business operators.
0:12:56.000,0:13:02.000
Man: We have permit and we pay taxes. There are many places like this auction markets.
0:13:03.000,0:13:10.000
Reporter: Do you know about the OO Pet Dog Auction market?
Namyangju-city official: Yes. We know about that.
0:13:11.000,0:13:16.000
Reporter: Isn’t there anything you can do about it?
0:13:17.000,0:13:25.000
Namyangju-city official: No. There is no law regulating it. We visit the market occasionally to check for any abandoned dogs being distributed.
0:13:26.000,0:13:35.000
But we saw mostly meat dogs being traded there.
Pet dogs are also being sold by the pet dog breeders.
0:13:36.000,0:13:43.000
Majority of pet dog breeders have business licenses.
0:13:44.000,0:13:52.000
However, meat dog farmers trade their dogs at the market but they often don’t have business licenses.
0:13:53.000,0:13:59.000
Reporter: Can’t you ban the distribution of meat dogs there?
0:14:00.000,0:14:15.000
Namyangju-city official: No. We can’t ban them. There is nothing we can do except to regulate the sanitation or the restaurants.
0:14:19.000,0:14:26.000
Auctioneer: OK. We will start at 100K KRW ($88 USD). 110K, 120K, 130K, No 42 Sold!
0:14:27.000,0:14:35.000
Auctioneer: OK. Again we will start at 100K KRW ($88 USD). 110K, 120K, 130K KRW, No 31 Sold!
0:14:36.000,0:14:43.000
Auctioneer: OK. Maltese female puppy. Maltese. No 35 Sold!
0:14:44.000,0:14:50.000
Auctioneer: Pomeranian. Pomeranian. Will start at 200K KRW ($177 USD).
0:14:51.000,0:14:57.000
Scene of auction market with high dollar trades. You must have a pet dog business license to be admitted.
0:14:58.000,0:15:04.000
However, outside the auction market atmosphere is a little different.
0:15:05.000,0:15:11.000
Auctioneer: Female 30K KRW ($27 USD), 40K, 50K, 60K, 70K, 70K KRW.
0:15:12.000,0:15:18.000
Auctioneer: OK. Be bold! 4 dogs at 120K KRW ($106 USD).
0:15:19.000,0:15:25.000
From 10K KRW to 4 dogs at 120K KRW. The people outside seems to be more generous.
0:15:26.000,0:15:34.000
At that moment, a women who is closely observing the dogs in the cages. She stands out from the crowd of mostly middle aged men.
0:15:35.000,0:15:39.000
We followed her to the parking lot where her car is parked.
0:15:40.000,0:15:46.000
A big dog purchased outside the auction market is in her car.
0:15:47.000,0:15:54.000
We followed her very closely.
0:15:55.000,0:16:00.000
She must have purchased the dog for meat.
0:16:01.000,0:16:05.000
Isn’t this the way to the Moran Market?
0:16:06.000,0:16:10.000
Car is heading towards Seongnam-city.
0:16:11.000,0:16:16.000
However, we lost her. First attempt at chase failed.
0:16:17.000,0:16:22.000
With Boknal (Dog days of summer)around the corner, we visited the auction market again.
0:16:23.000,0:16:29.000
We saw the same car that we failed to chase a week ago.
0:16:30.000,0:16:36.000
Auction market is a lot more busy this time.
0:16:45.000,0:16:52.000
Among the crowd who’s trying to buy big and cheap dogs, we found that same women.
0:16:53.000,0:16:58.000
Wearing the same clothes as the last time.
0:16:59.000,0:17:04.000
We change our strategy this time.
0:17:05.000,0:17:12.000
Let’s split here. Let’s go right. We will go first.
0:17:13.000,0:17:19.000
After splitting, team A followed her very closely.
0:17:20.000,0:17:28.000
The place the car was headed was Moran Market in Seongnam-city same direction she was heading last time.
0:17:29.000,0:17:36.000
Moran Market, Seongnam-city, Gyeonggido-province.
The car parked in front of a “Health Food Center”.
0:17:39.000,0:17:47.000
2 dogs purchased at the auction market is being dragged out of the car.
0:17:53.000,0:18:00.000
Immediately, we met with the “Health Food Center” people in order to confirm.
0:18:01.000,0:18:07.000
Merchant: You shouldn’t broadcast this stuff. It hurts our business.
0:18:08.000,0:18:14.000
Do you know why we are frustrated? You guys come again and again asking the same questions.
0:18:15.000,0:18:20.000
Why do you come in the busy summer time?
0:18:21.000,0:18:28.000
Reporter: We recorded the dogs from auction market arriving here. Is it cheaper to buy the dogs from the auction market?
0:18:29.000,0:18:34.000
Merchant left saying that they have more time in the winter.
0:18:35.000,0:18:42.000
Moran Market Merchant Association Representative:
Pet dogs, small dogs are not supplied here. We do not buy nor sell those dogs.
0:18:43.000,0:18:51.000
If we put the dirty or dogs with skin problems in the cage, it can contaminate and no one would want to buy them.
0:18:52.000,0:18:57.000
Moran market distributes 30% of the country’s dog meat.
0:18:58.000,0:19:03.000
Every summer time, buyers and sellers gather here from all around the country.
0:19:04.000,0:19:09.000
Can this industry be self-regulated?
0:19:10.000,0:19:15.000
We tried to find out if the abandoned dogs and pet dogs’ distribution is being blocked.
0:19:16.000,0:19:23.000
Customer: This is too skinny.
Merchant: I will give him to you for 250K KRW ($221 USD).
0:19:24.000,0:19:31.000
A women looking for a cheap small dog. But typical meat dog is over 200K KRW ($177 USD).
0:19:32.000,0:19:37.000
She went into another shop.
0:19:38.000,0:19:45.000
Merchant: There is nothing for 150K KRW ($133 USD). The cheapest ones are 170, 180K KRW.
0:19:46.000,0:19:52.000
Another haggling takes place in front of mid-sized dogs.
0:19:53.000,0:20:07.000
Merchant: Which one? Small one? 130K, 140K KRW ($123 USD).
Women: Why is it so expensive?
0:20:08.000,0:20:14.000
Women with tight budget. Trying to find a bargain.
0:20:15.000,0:20:25.000
Women: I can get good price here, right?
Merchant: What?
Women: Dog.
Merchant: We are sold out.
0:20:26.000,0:20:33.000
Women: How much is this? How much is that one?
Merchant: About 130K KRW ($115 USD).
0:20:34.000,0:20:40.000
Merchant: It’s only 100K KRW ($88 USD). Lots of meat.
Women: This is a big dog, isn’t it?
0:20:41.000,0:20:47.000
Merchant: No. It’s a small dog. Balbari dog is tasty.
Captured a proof that small pet dog are being sold!
0:20:48.000,0:20:53.000
Could Moran Market be the only place that sells pet dogs as meat?
0:20:54.000,0:21:01.000
Animal Rights Organizations in Seoul.
In this environment, number of civil complaint calls animal organizations receive each day is in dozens.
0:21:02.000,0:21:11.000
Animal Rights Organization:
Dog eaters want to think that they are eating only the dogs raised for the purpose of consumption such as yellow dogs or big Korean native dogs.
0:21:12.000,0:21:21.000
However, when we look at the facts from the slaughterhouses and the markets, all kinds of dogs are being used as meat.
0:21:22.000,0:21:31.000
They are abandoned dogs from animal shelters, pet dogs sold by their owners, dogs from commercial purebred dog farms that becomes sick or lose their ability to produce puppies.
0:21:32.000,0:21:39.000
All these dogs are slaughtered for meat and become our food and that’s the reality.
0:21:40.000,0:21:48.000
Scene of dog meat distribution outside of common sense.
Do you know what you are eating?
0:21:49.000,0:21:55.000
However, this is not the only inconvenient truth.
0:21:56.000,0:22:03.000
M Veterinarian, Seoul, Gangnam-Borough.
Test results from the Spitz came back.
0:22:04.000,0:22:10.000
Upon reviewing the test results, it was as the vets feared.
0:22:11.000,0:22:17.000
His stress index was extremely high and
0:22:18.000,0:22:27.000
Veterinarian: This dog has a big problem. External parasites such as fleas and ticks are commonly found in dogs abandoned for awhile and this dog also is infected with these parasites.
0:22:28.000,0:22:39.000
However, the big problem is that this dog is infected with a parasite that lives in the blood called “heartworms”.
0:22:40.000,0:22:48.000
This Spitz with fatal disease was about to be served as food.
0:22:49.000,0:23:00.000
Veterinarian: The treatment is not completed in one try. The medication is administered little by little over time every week
0:23:01.000,0:23:10.000
and after these treatments, several months later when you determine that the dog is fully recovered, he needs to be retested.
0:23:11.000,0:23:20.000
If the dog is fully recovered he will be OK. However if the heartworm larva is still present, the treatment process must begin again.
0:23:21.000,0:23:26.000
What’s ahead is dozens of antibiotics and medicine injections.
0:23:27.000,0:23:34.000
If this dog wasn’t rescued and instead became a meat, what could have happened?
0:23:35.000,0:23:42.000
Professior Yong-Geun Ahn (Also known as “Dr. Dogmeat”):
Birds have “Avian influenza” and hoof footed animals have “Foot and Mouth Diseases”
0:23:43.000,0:23:48.000
but dogs don’t have disease that can be transmitted to human.
0:23:49.000,0:23:55.000
However, if the dogs are over treated with antibiotics or was a subject of animal testing, then there might be some problem.
0:23:56.000,0:24:02.000
Headline “What’s going on in the animal shelter? Dogs killed the day checked in, dog head found…”
0:24:03.000,0:24:09.000
Last September, a suspicious incident took place at an animal shelter in Gumi-city.
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9/4/2011, Gumi-city Animal Shelter Infiltration.
There is a lot of problem here.
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Please show us underneath here.
In this animal shelter, dogs slaughtered and cut up in pieces were found in the freezer.
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Gumi-city official: We had to select a new shelter operator for 2012.
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Therefore, at the end of last year we selected a contractor for the abandoned animal shelter operation which excludes Gumi-city Wild Animal Protection Association.
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Gumi-city Veterinarian Association is selected as the contractor to run the animal shelter starting in 2012.
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And they are operating the shelter very well right now.
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If they realized the seriousness of the abandoned animals distribution problem, would they have made that dangerous choice?
Gumi-city Animal Shelter.
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Reporter: Is this the animal shelter?
Shelter manager: Yes. This is Gumi-city animal shelter.
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Reporter: Did the shelter that used to be in Seonsan moved here?
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Shelter manager: No. The shelter in Seonsan is shut down. This is a new shelter contracted with the city to be run by the Gumi-city Veterinarian Association.
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Since when?
Starting January 1 of this year.
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Abandoned animal’s shelter located right next to the veterinary office.
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It looked relatively comfortable and safe.
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For abandoned and sick animals, there seems to be no better place than this
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Vet./Gumi-city Animal Shelter Director:
We bring in about 50 animals. Our estimate was based on 30 animals but it turned out to be about 50.
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Therefore, the facility is crowded and the people are experiencing inconvenience.
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So I have asked the city to increase their budget for the shelter.
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It’s on a revised supplementary budget but the department in charge has a limited authority so that’s the situation right now.
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However, how many abandoned dogs are enjoying this kind of luxury?
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Animal Rights Organization:
If we can find another shelter like the Gumi-city, we will demand a shut-down but so far we are not finding them.
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However, what is certain is that less known shelters are secretly selling shelter dogs as meat or sending them away.
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That’s because of the cost of taking care of them during the required holding period and the affective criticism about the euthanasia from the society.
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In order to avoid these burden, dogs are sent off for adoption to just anybody and in reality these dogs are resold as dog meat or to breeding farms.
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Last year, an illegal dog slaughterhouse in Namyangju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
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An animal rights organization reported a shocking scene of this slaughterhouse.
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Excrement piled up and hardened over the years. Dogs being raised to be eaten in this tragic place.
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Atrocious environment where we can’t even tell if this is food for dogs or their body parts.
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Dog tails.
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Reporter: Slaughterhouse owner is currently not in business. Right?
Namyangju-city official: Right. He is not in business.
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Reporter: Have you confirmed it?
Namyangju-city official: Of course. In order to avoid friction with the animal rights organizations and their demands.
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And in reality, we can’t stop him by force from raising those dogs. It’s outside of our authority.
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But in order to reduce the friction with the animal rights organizations and because it’s a civil complaint, we have requested to the slaughterhouse owner.
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We visited that same dog slaughterhouse.
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The reality was different than what the city official told us.
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It stinks here. These looks like the evidences of slaughter. It’s all bones.
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These are all cleaning detergents. It looks like he was trying to clean up the place.
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2 years has passed and the excrement floor has gotten even higher and the environment was just as before.
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The only difference was that the dogs’ health condition has seriously deteriorated.
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Every dogs were suffering from eye disease that is known to show on sick dogs.
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We sent the video of a dog with the most serious condition to a veterinarian.
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Dogs that have been neglected for years from illegal dog farms.
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What is wrong with their health?
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Veterinarian Kim: This dog looks like he is infected with disease with neurological symptoms.
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Canine distemper is a fatal disease for dogs.
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It’s known to be infectious with highest fatality.
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First clinical sign starts with the respiratory system but as it progresses further
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as you can see in this dog, head is showing “wry neck” symptom (dysmyotonia) to one direction
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or continuous head trembling. With these symptoms, all other organs, lung, gastrointestinal tract can be dangerous.
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We requested a rescue from an animal rights organization.
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Would people still be hungry for dog meat after seeing this scene?
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If we don’t rush all the dogs could become infected.
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There were dogs who has already been infected.
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We have to disinfect this completely.
Yes. We brought disinfectant.
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Let’s go in.
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Barely moved the dog that can’t even stand or walk.
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Let’s disinfect again although I have already done it.
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Quickly collecting body fluid. However, the state of paralysis.
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His condition is serious.
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Veterinarian decided there is no option and prepares for a euthanasia.
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He looks terrible.
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First he is sedated. A little bit later, anesthetic was injected.
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There is definitely a problem with eating animals infected with this disease.
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Infected muscles and organs can potentially infect people who eats them.
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Namyangju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
We found the owner who is working at a cornfield nearby.
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When we asked if he is the owner of this illegal slaughterhouse? He passively answers, “Yes”.
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Owner: My old mother passed away. I have a lot of debt.
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My only daughter got into an automobile accident about 3 years ago.
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He was saying that in order to make money, he had no choice.
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Reporter: Where did you sell your dogs at?
Owner: At Moran Market in Seongnam-city. There is plenty of places to sell over there.
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Reporter: You were selling your dogs at Moran Market?
Owner: Yes.
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Reporter: How about the dogs you slaughter here?
Owner: I don’t slaughter much here.
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Reporter: So what do you do with the ones you slaughter here?
Owner: They are sold locally.
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Moran Market, Seongnam-city, Gyeonggido-province.
This is where the owner said he sold his dogs.
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If the merchants here purchased those dogs what could have happened?
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Moran Market Merchant Association Representative:
People watch TV programs and they ask us about it
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and even our members who watched the program said they have seen the story about this slaughterhouse in Gyeonggido that distributes sick dogs, abandoned dogs.
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That’s because they are operating in the shade, it’s possible to have negative effects.
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Y.J. Chun (63 years old)
As a business owner myself, I don’t even know what to say. They shouldn’t be doing that kind of business.
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S.J. Bae(62 years old)
I can’t eat that. Of course not. Dog meat is eaten to be healthy.
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E.M. Hong(60 years old)
We are eating these dog meats and it’s not possible for us to know what we are eating.
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They kill animals like that and wish for the prosperity of their descendents. That’s thieves’ greedy mind.
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You people who cares about dogs! Why don’t you be good to your parents instead?
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As long as people who eat dog meat exist, the dispute regarding the dog meat probably won’t end.
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Indeed, how can we resolve this issue so that our food supply is safe?
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Professor Yong Geun Ahn (also known as “Dr. Dogmeat”)
The solution is simple. Just classify dogs as livestock in the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”.
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Because the dogs not slaughtered can’t be distributed nor sold.
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Animal Rights Organization.
When you look at the breeding and slaughtering condition of the legal livestocks such as pigs, cows, chickens, it is very poor, dirty and inhumane.
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In this environment, adding companion animals such as dogs to the classification of livestock
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and inhumanely slaughter them. It’s time that we ask ourselves if this is the direction that we want our society to move towards?
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Then what is the position of the government?
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Korea Food and Drug Administration.
We are reporting about dog meat. Can you direct us to the department that handles this issue?
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KFDA: We don’t manage by specific food type. So there is no department that handles that.
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Then regarding the slaughtering..
KFDA: You have to ask Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for slaughtering issue.
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KFDA: However if you were to ask them, you will get a response saying that dogs are not livestock used for meat.
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Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
MFAFF: Dog has to be classified as a livestock in order for there to be a department in charge.
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There is no regulation regarding the approval of slaughter and the method. Dog meat does not fall under the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”. Therefore it is difficult to regulate.
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Dog meat issue left in the legal blind spot for the reason there is no base for punishment between:
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Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Korea Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
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Whengsung Cow Market, Whengsung, Gangwondo-province.
Then how is the case for the livestock that is managed by the “Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act”?
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We examined the cow’s distribution tracking system.
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Whengsung Cow Market Representative.
Cow identification record system tracks cow’s birth, slaughter, sale, processing by the number attached to their ear.
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When a problem arise, we can track it. It’s a safety device.
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If you compare it to human, it’s just like social security number.
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OO Korean beef, Paju-city, Gyeonggido-province.
Cow identification record system that started test implementation in 2004 has been around for 8 years now.
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Consumers can find out where it was born, where it was raised and who raised it.
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OO Korean beef owner, C.H. Kyung.
Using the barcode number, identification is provided for 100% just like people’s social security number.
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So using the Smartphone, consumers can scan the barcode and find out the shipper, origin, farming method, slaughter date and even the location.
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OO Dog Meat Restaurant, Anyang-city, Gyeonggido-province.
Dog meat identification record system. Can this work?
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We visited a dog meat restaurant in Gyeonggido-province.
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They offered to show where their dogs are raised if their customers wanted to see.
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Customers also wanted to express their opinions about dog meat consumption.
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Customer, C.M. Park.
If we raise dogs like the pigs in sanitary conditions there is no problem with eating dogs.
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So if we just improve the problems in the dog farms and make it clean then there is no problem with eating dogs.
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If anything, we should explore the opportunities to export dog meat to other countries.
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Problems in the distribution and processing has a room for improvement.
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This dog meat restaurant’s marketing strategy was to open their dog farm to the public.
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Allowing restaurant customers to see with transparency the dog farm’s sanitation and whether or not the dogs have disease.
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OO Dog meat restaurant owner, S.M. Jang.
I think dogs, cows and pigs are all the same. Therefore, we raise and slaughters dogs with the same method as cows and pigs.
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This has to be legalized in order for us to operate rightfully.
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We pay the taxes accurately and run our business. We want to be fairly assessed for our cleanliness.
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We really want a chance to promote the dog meat’s effectiveness and the superiority to our customers.
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Dog meat consumption legalization law has been submitted twice. But it was abandoned both times.
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Former member of the National Assembly, S.C. Song.
Government has the responsibility to protect the health of its citizens and bad practices must be corrected.
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Also even if it is wanted by a minority, it needs to be legislated and legalized.
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Leaving what the citizens are doing as illegal is the fault of the nation.
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Headline “Dogs on the ground with fur removed…boiled in a pot immediately after slaughter”
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Meanwhile, last month another case broke out at a hillside of Ilsan, Gyeonggido-province.
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What could have happened?
OO Farm, Goyang-city, Gyeonggido-province.
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This time the police in this jurisdiction reported this case.
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Police: Stay where you are.
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Police: Pull the blood vessel here. You pulled out the blood vessel.
Pull it out.
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During the processing of slaughtering, water was injected into the blood vessel in order to inflate the weight of the dogs.
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Police: Where is the entrance? Is this the blood vessel?
Worker: Yes.
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Police: You did that to all the dogs. Didn’t you?
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Worker: We electrocuted the dog and upon customer’s request we drained the blood from the dog.
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We injected the water in order to drain the blood and why would anyone report this?
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Everyone does this. You can check any slaughterhouses in the country.
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Number of dogs they slaughtered and inflated weight is 730.
Police was dispatched for the crime of taking unfair profit of 210,000K KRW ($ 185K USD).
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Violation of law related to the water quality and aquatic ecosystem conservation and fraud charge.
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How was the case handled? 2 days after the case broke out, we revisited the scene of crime.
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Sure enough. Smoke is rising from the chimney.
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We went inside.
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As expected, something is boiling in the iron cauldrons.
We asked what they were boiling.
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Worker: We are making meat broth.
Reporter: Dogs are used for meat broth too?
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In order to make dog meat soup, you have to boil them first.
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Talking gibberish saying he is making meat broth.
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Inside we found that water hose (used for injecting water into blood vessel) and a dog trapped in a cage.
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His claim that he removed all the dogs was a lie.
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After being fined, they have resumed their operation.
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OO Slaughterhouse Worker.
The owner knows about the injecting water into the dogs.
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We get into trouble if we say the wrong thing to the owner. We just did what was told.
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That’s the extent of our involvement.
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If you want to know more about the practice of injecting water, go visit other slaughterhouses.
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Reporter: Is there other slaughterhouses in this area?
Worker: Yes. They are everywhere. Wondang,…etc.
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Do you think we are the only one injecting water into dogs?
That’s not true.
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Go anywhere! Go visit Moran Market in Seongnam-city!
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Ilsandong -Borough Office.
Reporter: I need to ask some questions. This is TV Chosun.
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I want to ask about the slaughterhouse dog water injection case in Seongsukdong.
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We visited there to check and they have openly resumed their operation.
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Ilsandong-Borough:
We can’t crack down on the case because the dog meat punishment law is in the legal blind spot.
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Therefore, my understanding is that we processed that case as the violation of waste water.
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Reporter: Is there any way to impose sanctions?
Ilsandog-Borough: It’s in the legal blind spot. So it is the Korean lawmakers’ job.
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We can only carry out the law. Enforcing the law has to be concrete and we have to argue accurately based on the situation.
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Because we have to punish them and Korea is a constitutional nation.
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People who didn’t want to know what environment the dogs lived, what diseases they suffered and through what process they ended up on our table.
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That’s because the truth about the dog meat is extremely inconvenient.
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Veterinarian H.S. Kim:
There is a pros and cons debate about dog meat consumption between the pet owners and the non-pet owners .
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However, I think the most important issue is the fundamental concern for the lives that live and commune together with us.
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This is the main issue about the companion animals and our food culture.
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While we are chasing the status of dogs left in the legal blind spot, our health is being threatened as ever.
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Is our hope to strive for a happy food supply still just a dream?
Eating, or being in contact with dogs raised in hellish conditions like those on dog meat farms, and fed decomposed garbage contaminated with germs can be
hazardous to your health and even fatal!
Bubonic Plague, Camphylobacter, Cutaneous Larval Migrans, Giardiasis,
Psittacosis, Rabies, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Visceral Larva Migrans, Anthrax, Babesiosis, Brucellosis, Colibacillosis...
are just a few of many diseases you can contract from these dogs.
Shocking cruelty of South Korean dog meat industry
STOP IT! KOREA Campaign was launched on July 13, 2013 (Chobok, first of the three dogs days in S. Korea) by Humane Action Alliance (HAA)-Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), Animal Guardians and Change For Animals Foundation (CFAF)-with their new campaign homepage www.stopitkorea.org/.
Words from their homepage: Cruelty is being committed in every process of dog meat industry from breeding all the way to sale. HAA will not ignore the cries of animals dying in agony. We will restore the society's distorted view about dogs and human. HAA is a coalition of organizations and people who support STOP IT! Campaign. Anyone or organizations who would like to join HAA can download the application from our homepage and email it to [email protected].
Words from their homepage: Cruelty is being committed in every process of dog meat industry from breeding all the way to sale. HAA will not ignore the cries of animals dying in agony. We will restore the society's distorted view about dogs and human. HAA is a coalition of organizations and people who support STOP IT! Campaign. Anyone or organizations who would like to join HAA can download the application from our homepage and email it to [email protected].
Documentary Dog Meat (Boshintang)
Please send a message to the
South Korean Ambassador to the United States
Please send a message to the South Korean Ambassador to the United States that we request a swift action to ban the horrific dog and cat meat trade in their country: http://www.dynamic-korea.com/embassy/meet.php
Feel free to write in your own words or use the sample letter below:
Dear Ambassador Young-Jin Choi,
I write you today in grave concern for the dogs and cats of South Korea.
I am deeply distressed to learn that while the South Korean Government has laws in place protecting dogs and cats from abuse it chooses to disregard these same laws. Over two million South Korean dogs are electrocuted, strangled, or beaten to death each year; killed in the cruelest ways imaginable, because of the insidious myth that the more an animal suffers, the more tender and tasty the meat and that so-called medicinal properties will be enhanced.
Thousands of cats are also slaughtered for soups and “health” tonics. While the practice of eating dogs and cats is not widely accepted in South Korea, it is crucial that the South Korean government ensure it is completely eradicated. Caring citizens around the world, including South Koreans, cannot remain silent as dogs and cats are beaten to death for a tastier meal and suffer agonizing deaths.
Please do all within your power to bring swift and immediate action on this critical issue and halt the selling and killing of dogs and cats for food or products. If not for compassion, than for the sake of your country’s global image.
Most respectfully,
[your name]
The 2018 Winter Olympics,
officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, are scheduled to take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, between 9 and 25 February 2018
In 2018, South Korea will be hosting the Winter Olympics at Pyeongchange. They will surely try to show off their 5'000 years of history/tradition and their remarkable economic progress with international brands such as Hyundai, Samsung, LG, Daewoo ...
Will they also showcase their dog farms, markets and restaurants as their proud tradition? We don't think so.
During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, they ordered to shutdown all the dog meat restaurants in Seoul area. But after the Olympics it's back to business again.
Don't let this happen this time. Let them hear loud and clear, No Olympics at a "Dog Eating Nation"! Sign the petition using the widget below, or directly at change.org.
Will they also showcase their dog farms, markets and restaurants as their proud tradition? We don't think so.
During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, they ordered to shutdown all the dog meat restaurants in Seoul area. But after the Olympics it's back to business again.
Don't let this happen this time. Let them hear loud and clear, No Olympics at a "Dog Eating Nation"! Sign the petition using the widget below, or directly at change.org.
Thank you, in advance!
100,000 signatures are needed on the petition
to the UK-government
UK-friends, please help to get those signatures in order to get the UK-government involved in the campaign against dog meat trade and consumption: please SIGN, SHARE, TWEET and pass the message on to all of your UK-contacts.
THE PETITION TEXT:
Urge the South Korean Government to Respect Global Animal Protection Laws and Oppose Legalization of the Dog Meat TradeResponsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The unprecedented, unnecessary cruelty towards animals can no longer be tolerated and it is the moral duty of the British Government to intervene on behalf of animal welfare organizations and the British Public to urge South Korea to respect and enforce not just its own but Global Animal Welfare Laws.This petition also formally opposes the move to legalize the dog and cat meat trade in South Korea on ethical, health and moral grounds.The issue concerns the UK because in 2018 we will attend the Seoul Winter Olympics and it is unconscionable for the Government to ignore the huge growing shock and outcryon social media sites. Close Moran Meat Market Dogs electrocuted,boiled alive in public-illegal Slaughter houses. Sanctions for International Breach of waste disposal- 2011 foot &mouth crisis, 8 million livestock were buried alive .2012 Declaration of Consciousness has confirmed animals are not just commodities.
THE PETITION TEXT:
Urge the South Korean Government to Respect Global Animal Protection Laws and Oppose Legalization of the Dog Meat TradeResponsible department: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The unprecedented, unnecessary cruelty towards animals can no longer be tolerated and it is the moral duty of the British Government to intervene on behalf of animal welfare organizations and the British Public to urge South Korea to respect and enforce not just its own but Global Animal Welfare Laws.This petition also formally opposes the move to legalize the dog and cat meat trade in South Korea on ethical, health and moral grounds.The issue concerns the UK because in 2018 we will attend the Seoul Winter Olympics and it is unconscionable for the Government to ignore the huge growing shock and outcryon social media sites. Close Moran Meat Market Dogs electrocuted,boiled alive in public-illegal Slaughter houses. Sanctions for International Breach of waste disposal- 2011 foot &mouth crisis, 8 million livestock were buried alive .2012 Declaration of Consciousness has confirmed animals are not just commodities.
More ways how
YOU can help to stop
the torture and consumption of dogs in South Korea!
By sharing these pictures and videos with everyone!
By joining the Facebook-page Stop the Dog and Cat Consumption in S. Korea to stay up-to-date about actions to take and by supporting these good people by sharing their pictures and posts.
By signing and sharing the petitions that you will find on the following page, with your friends and network
