"Compensation Should Be Based on Facility Size"
Must Prevent Further Breeding of 500,000 Dogs
The Dog Meat Consumption Termination Act will be enforced starting from the 7th of next month, with a three-year grace period. However, no agreement has yet been reached on the key issue of compensation levels for the related industry. In this regard, Cho Hee-kyung, representative of Animal Freedom Union, stated, "It is necessary to review whether compensation that satisfies them should be funded by taxpayers' money."
On the 16th, Representative Cho said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "I understand that the government is discussing the Dog Meat Consumption Termination Act with the industry," adding, "The related business operators are making stronger demands to the government to secure as much compensation as possible." She continued, "This industry has mostly operated based on illegality," and explained, "There needs to be thorough consideration about whether compensation should come from taxpayers' money."
In particular, Representative Cho reported that the Korea Dog Meat Association is demanding 2 million won per dog as compensation, criticizing it as "just a random claim." She argued, "Large dogs can give birth to up to 10 puppies at once, and if compensation is discussed on a per-dog basis, it will be difficult to control breeding," emphasizing, "Compensation should be calculated appropriately according to the scale of the farm (facility size)."
It is estimated that about 500,000 dogs are currently being raised. There are limits to rescuing and raising them by animal organizations, and the abandoned animal system is still not properly established. Representative Cho said, "If breeding is stopped, the number will gradually decrease," adding, "Nevertheless, the government and local authorities must prepare well to ensure humane closure for the remaining dogs."
Regarding humane closure methods, Representative Cho stated, "All animal organizations will do their best to rescue them." However, she expressed concerns about possible limitations in rescue efforts. She said, "We will prevent dogs from being left to suffer and die on farms or wander the streets," and added, "It seems possible to consider handling them on farms according to the standards of the Act on the Treatment of Abandoned and Lost Animals."
Meanwhile, the 'Special Act on the Termination of Breeding, Slaughter, and Distribution of Dogs for Meat Consumption' (Dog Meat Consumption Termination Act), promulgated in February this year, prohibits all breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and sale of dogs for meat consumption. It will be fully implemented starting from the 7th of next month.
Those who slaughter dogs for meat consumption will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won, and those who breed, propagate, distribute, or sell will face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, a three-year grace period will apply to related business operators. The government plans to announce specific support measures for business transition and closure for dog meat businesses in September.
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