Petition to Save Dogs From Being Eaten

Gaegogi (개고기) literally means "dog meat" in Korean.

Courtesy: Wikipedia page on Dog Meat

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Care2 petition site has launched a campaign to save dogs that are being eaten regularly in Korea. Well, they are eaten in quite a few places, but this effort relates to South Korea.

The group writes:

"It's difficult to imagine dogs -- one of humans' most beloved companions -- abused, slaughtered and sold for people to eat. But every year, about two million dogs suffer this fate in Korea."

(Visit: Stop the torture and consumption of dogs in Korea)

In fact, the human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in many parts of the world, according to Wikipedia, including ancient China, ancient Mexico, and ancient Rome. Today dog meat is consumed in a variety of countries including Switzerland, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Korea.

Switzerland? Anyway, Wikipedia adds the interesting fact that in times of war and other hardship, dog meat has been used as survival food. However that is not the biggest reasons the practice continues.

The Care2 press release states:

"Most Koreans find this practice appalling, but because profit-driven industry forces aggressively promote the myth that eating severely mistreated dogs increases sexual potency, some still partake in this horrific cruelty."

According to Wikipedia:

• There is a large and vocal group of Koreans who are against the practice of eating dogs.
• There is also a large population of people in Korea that do not eat or enjoy the meat, but do feel strongly that it is the right of others to do so.
• There is a smaller but still vocal group of pro-dog cuisine people in South Korea who want to popularize the consumption of dog in Korea and the rest of the world.
• A group of pro-dog meat individuals attempted to promote and publicize the consumption of dog meat worldwide during the run-up to the 2002 Fifa World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, which prompted retaliation from animal rights campaigners and prominent figures such as Brigette Bardot to denounce the practice.
• Opponents of dog meat consumption in South Korea are critical of practices that are claimed to improve the flavour of dog meat in Korean tradition, such as beating and hanging.

In Defense of Animals believes we must strengthen and enforce animal protection laws so that these cruelties can be brought to an end. We added a bit of background for the sake of education, if you want to support this effort, please visit: Help save dogs in Korea