Dog meat, South Korea dismantles the farms. Even the actor Daniel Henney in the field to save the free animals

For 40 years he managed a restaurant that also served dog meatcoming from animals that he himself raised. It did so in conditions of total inattention to the well -being of the puppies, as often happens in those situations, which made the fate of those poor even more gram four -legged: born with the destiny already marked, that of ending up on a dish for human consumption, they also led one totally prisoner existence and made only of suffering. Even when he sold the catering activity he continued the breeding one, becoming the supplier of various restaurants and markets. However his life will change: From now on he will cultivate chillies.

It was not really a conversion on the way of Damascus, his. The Korean government has decided to ban the dog meat trade by 2027 and therefore this trade is destined to finish. However, his breeding has already been closed after the authorities of Cheongju In a check carried out in February, violations of the animal protection law had detected. Man, for example, he slaughtered the dogs on the spotwhich is prohibited by the legislation already in force.

In view of the mass at the ban of this practice, many will have to change the profession, which, however, already several former breeders have done, in some cases by voluntary choice. Sensitivity has changed a lot Even in the Far East and the number of people who choose to have dogs as animals of affection is increasing. The trade and sale of meat of these animals are in strong decline and now only resist in some areas of the countries that traditionally considered their consumption as a propitiatory and auspicious act. By 2027, as mentioned, in South Korea, the definitive ban is expected, which will entail the closure of the approximately 1,500 farms that are still estimated exist in the country.

The positive news is that Mr. Yu’s dogs will also change life and become companions of life of some family. Not in Korea, but in the United States. The authorities have in fact entrusted to Humane World For Animalsalways committed to contrasting these practices with International rescue actions (before he did it with the name of Humane Society International) the task of dealing with the 67 prisoners dogs in that breeding. And to support the association in this operation there is also the actor Daniel HenneyStar of the series «The wheel of time», Which has long been alongside Humane World for Animals in its campaigns, especially that to end the dog meat industry. Already in 2017 he had participated in an advertising campaign in the Seoul Metro, who had as protagonist a dog once raised for the production of meat, which then adopted in 2020: Juliettea golden retriever saved from the slaughterhouse thanks to the intervention of the organization.

In this case he did not only lend his face. During the rescue operation in Cheongju, Henney rolled up his sleeves and actively participated in the liberation of the dogs, bringing them out of their cages for the first time in their life. «As a great lover of dogs, and human dad of a survivor to a breeding for the production of meat, it was extremely difficult to witness the suffering of these animals who have already endured so much – he said -. This makes me even more proud to have supported the Humane World For Animals campaign which led to obtaining the ban: it means that No other dog will have to suffer all this anymore. In South Korea, a new era is starting, in which dogs are seen as friends, not as food, and this fills me with joy ».

The first 50 dogs saved from the breeding have already arrived at the Humane World For Animals reception center in Marylandin the United States, where they will receive veterinary care and face a rehabilitation path, before being entrusted to shelters and partner organizations for adoption. Another 17 dogs – Maders and puppies – they will reach the as soon as they are large enough to be transferred. For the moment, they are recovering in a refuge near Cheongju. All, except one, are mestizo of Jindoa breed commonly raised in the structures for the production of meat.

According to the official statisticsabout 40% dog farms intended for the production of meat in South Korea has already closed its doors since, in the January 2024the special law has been approved. The Ministry of Agriculture provides that this percentage will rise to 60% by the end of the year. While some breeders take the opportunity to retire, others are converting new activities, for which the government offers financial support. Before the introduction of the ban, the program «Models for change «  by Humane World for Animals, launched in 2015, collaborated with several breeders for permanently close 18 farms and save over 2,700 dogs.

«After so many years and many rescues – he comments Sangkyung Leehead of the HWA campaign in South Korea – for the first time we know that finally these terrible suffering will be relegated to the history books. It is an extraordinary feeling. While the law is successfully dismantling the dog meat industry, we are excited to be able to offer a happy future to dogs saved from this breeding. There are only soft kennels, full bellies and lots of love to wait.  » Three of the dogs have found a family already in South Korea, but in the country they persist prejudices against animals from farms intended for meat productionwhich makes it more difficult to find a house to the other 67 remaining dogs. Hence the decision to transfer them to the United States.