Nearly 200 Dogs Were Rescued From This South Korean Puppy Meat Farm
Dogs are usually electrocuted, taking up to five minutes to die.
By Tamara Jayne — 15 Feb 2019, 12:34 PM
Almost 200 dogs were rescued from a dog meat farm in Hongseong, South Korea since Wednesday, 13 February
The farm doubled up as a breeding mill, as puppies were sold as pets as well as meat, depending on which brought the most value.
Dogs that were not sold as pets were shipped off to the slaughterhouse, and then sold to local restaurants, Express UK reported.
Humane Society International Canada (HSI) revealed that many of the animals are small breeds such as Chihuahuas, corgis, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus, and French bulldogs.
This is the 14th puppy meat farm to be shut down since 2015
"These dogs have been surviving in appalling conditions, in barren, filthy cages, with inadequate food and water and almost no veterinary care or human contact," said senior campaign manager for HSI Canada Ewa Demianowicz.
"Sadly, it is likely that many never left the cramped cages they have been confined in."
In exchange for shutting down their farms and discontinuing the trade, HSI helps farmers switch to other businesses.
Image via AFP/Jung Yeon-jeAbout one million dogs are eaten in a year in South Korea
The Guardian reported that the greasy red meat is eaten as a delicacy and is believed to "increase energy".
According to a 2018 Gallup survey, 70% of Koreans claimed to stop eating dog meat in the future. However, only 40% believe that the practice should be banned.
The owner of the Hongseong farm Lee Sang-gu said that, he decided to change his business because it was "not profitable anymore", adding that even his family members were against eating dog meat, Channel NewsAsia reported.
The dogs are mainly killed by electrocution, taking up to five minutes to die, while others are hanged to death
In 2018, HSI found electrocution equipment, knives, and a de-hairing machine at the largest dog slaughterhouse in the country. Independent UK reported that a pile of dead dogs were also seen lying abandoned on the floor.
HSI Canada helped to shutdown the Taepyong slaughterhouse, which could hold hundreds of dogs at a time.
At the moment, the dog meat consumption is seen as neither legal nor illegal in South Korea, HSI reported
Despite no specific ban, authorities have placed laws to ban cruel slaughter methods of dogs late last year, reported The Guardian.