BREAKING: South Korea bans the dog meat industry with historic vote at National Assembly as animal campaigners 'overjoyed'
SEOUL, South Korea , Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- South Korea's National Assembly has today voted through a ban on the dog meat industry in what animal campaigners at Humane Society International/Korea have called "history in the making." Up to 1 million dogs a year are factory farmed and killed for human consumption in the country. The ban, which comes into force in six months' time with a three-year phase out, will make the breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs and dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027, with penalties of up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.*
- With over 6 million pet dogs now living in Korean homes, demand for dog meat is at an all-time low.
- A 2023 Nielsen Korea opinion polls shows that 86% of South Koreans won't eat dog meat in the future and 57% support a ban.
- I never thought I would see in my lifetime a ban on the cruel dog meat industry in South Korea but this historic win for animals is testament to the passion and determination of our animal protection movement.
- This ban signals the end of dog meat farming and sales in South Korea, and we stand ready to contribute our expertise until every cage is empty."