"Until When Will Dogs Be Eaten?" Jindo Dog Slaughtered Just 2 Hours After Adoption... 'Dog Meat Consumption Debate' Continues

70s Man Who Slaughtered Jindo Dog Charged with Fraud
"Said They Would Raise Well" - Adoptive Owner's Anger
Animal Rights Awareness Spreads... Only 2 in 10 Support Dog Meat
Experts Call for Active Government Efforts

Jindo dog. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A controversy has arisen over an incident where a man deceived others by pretending to raise dogs himself, adopted a Jindo dog mother and her puppies, and then immediately slaughtered them. The man in his 70s who adopted the Jindo dog mother and puppies initially promised to "build a house and feed them well," but it was reported that he slaughtered the dogs to make so-called 'Gaesojoo' (dog liquor), sparking public outrage.

Recently, as animal rights have improved, some demand for dog meat consumption still continues, causing controversy. Experts have suggested that active government efforts are necessary to eradicate the dog meat culture.

On the 14th, the Michuhol Police Station in Incheon announced that they had sent two people, including Mr. A (76), to the prosecution on charges of fraud. Additionally, Mr. B (65), a slaughterhouse operator who slaughtered the dogs at Mr. A's request, was also referred to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

Mr. A is suspected of adopting the Jindo dog mother and puppies on the 17th of last month, pretending to raise them well, but immediately entrusting them to Mr. B, who operates a slaughterhouse, where the dogs were slaughtered.

This fact was revealed during the process of checking on the dogs by Mr. C, the original owner of the Jindo dogs. After analyzing security camera footage, the police confirmed that Mr. A had requested Mr. B to slaughter both Jindo dogs.

Mr. A admitted to the police, "I did request the slaughter of the Jindo dogs and did kill them," but reportedly did not provide details about the circumstances of the crime.

Mr. C, the original owner of the Jindo dogs, expressed his grievance. On the 25th of last month, he posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition site titled "They were slaughtered less than two hours after being adopted," demanding stricter enforcement of the Animal Protection Act to prevent further victim dogs and calling for severe punishment of the perpetrator. The petition also included content stating that "Mr. A slaughtered the Jindo dogs to make 'Gaesojoo'."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board

According to a 2018 survey conducted by Animal Liberation Wave and Last Chance for Animals (LCA), only 18.5% of people supported dog meat consumption, and 81.2% of respondents had not eaten dog meat in the past year. This reflects a shift in perception about dog meat consumption over approximately 15 years, compared to a 2004 poll where 89.5% supported the sale of Bosintang (dog meat soup).

The dog meat sales market is also gradually shrinking. The Gupo Livestock Market in Busan, which sold dog meat for over 60 years, closed last year, and in November 2018, the largest dog slaughterhouse in the country, located in Taepyeong-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, was permanently demolished. Dog slaughter businesses in Seoul's Gyeongdong Market were also closed.

However, some citizens still seek dog meat as a "traditional health food." Office worker Mr. Lee (34) said, "Those who argue against eating dog meat should also not eat other livestock like chicken or beef," adding, "I don't understand why people are lenient toward other livestock but have a negative view only toward dog meat consumption."

The Korea Dog Meat Association also stated last year, "There is a difference between dogs raised for food and pet dogs. We hope people proudly enjoy dog meat, which has been traditionally consumed for generations," and claimed, "Dog meat is a food that raises body heat, so it has been eaten to recover physical and mental strength during the spring sowing season in preparation for autumn harvest."

On the other hand, there are opinions that the dog meat consumption culture must be eradicated to protect animal rights. Office worker Mr. Kim (27), who revealed that he raises a companion dog, said, "It's unacceptable to still eat dogs in this era of food abundance, not in the past," and expressed frustration, "There was even a case where a companion dog was taken under the pretense of raising it well and then eaten. Despite the era of 10 million companion animals, public awareness remains low."

He raised his voice, saying, "Animals that cannot speak are also living beings. Like humans, animals have the right not to be abused."

Experts have suggested that active government efforts are necessary to eradicate the dog meat consumption culture. Professor Kim Seongho of the Department of Social Welfare at Seongseo University said, "The dog meat culture must be eradicated. As long as the dog meat culture exists, animal welfare cannot exist," adding, "Globally, dog meat consumption is on the decline."

He continued, "The government needs to step up and find solutions. There is no policy that 100% of the public agrees on. Although the livelihoods of dog meat industry workers may be an issue, support measures to help them transition to other industries can be considered."