205 Dog Meat Business Registrations in Incheon... Submission of Closure or Business Conversion Plans by August 5

Incheon City announced on the 24th that it is promoting follow-up measures for businesses registered for dog meat-related operations following the enactment of the Special Act on the Eradication of Dog Meat Consumption.

According to the city, as of the 7th, there are a total of 205 businesses registered for dog meat-related operations, including 32 dog farms, 7 slaughterhouses, 52 distribution businesses, and 114 food service establishments. This accounts for about 3.6% of the nationwide registered businesses (5,625).

The "Special Act on the Eradication of Breeding, Slaughtering, and Distribution of Dogs for the Purpose of Consumption," enacted in February, was established to end dog meat consumption by February 2027.

The act applies to dog meat-related farm owners, slaughterers, distributors, and food service operators engaged in dog meat-related businesses. The districts and counties are issuing confirmation certificates through on-site inspections of registered businesses.

Operators who have registered for dog meat operations must submit an implementation plan for the cessation of dog meat consumption, including closure or business conversion, by August 5 of this year. The city plans to prepare support criteria and related budgets based on industry-specific surveys and provide assistance to registered operators.

Since the enactment of the Dog Meat Eradication Act, new operations have been prohibited, and additional procedures necessary for the eradication of dog meat, such as the legislative notice of the enforcement ordinance (draft), are currently underway.

The city plans to continue post-management, including the progress of closure or business conversion of registered businesses, securing related budgets, and promoting support projects, by forming a dog meat eradication task force with 10 districts and counties until February 2027, when breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and sales of dogs for consumption will be banned.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Although compensation standards have not been finalized, support for closure or business conversion will be more advantageous to operators the earlier they close their businesses."