IDA to Release Undercover Investigation Exposing Korean Canine Cruelty

Advocates Worldwide to Stage Protests at Korean Consulates on Global Day of Action

San Francisco, Calif.—Members of In Defense of Animals (IDA) will gather at the South Korean Consulate in San Francisco on the Third Annual International Day of Action for Korean Dogs and Cats to screen video footage from a recent undercover investigation into the dog and cat meat trade. The video footage, filmed by Animal Freedom Korea (AFK), exposes the cruel, illegal trade in dog and cat meat that continues to thrive in South Korea. The country remains one of the few places in the world where dog and cat meat is still eaten. View video of the investigation.

When: Wednesday, July 25th from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Where: South Korean Consulate, 3500 Clay Street, San Francisco

The video was made by an investigator who filmed dogs and cats packed by the dozens in tiny, filthy cages in the hot sun with no shade or water. Dogs were crammed so tightly together they fought and even cannibalized one another. Sick dogs were left to suffer and die with no veterinary attention. Despite dog meat proponents’ claims, it is not just dogs who are bred for their flesh. The investigation documented canine “pets” of various breeds—from huskies to cocker spaniels-confined to cages awaiting their fate. South Korean animal advocates claim that many still bear ID tags with their guardians’ contact information.

The horrific conditions in which dogs are raised for meat--as documented during this investigations--are tragically all too common in South Korea. Not only are the trade in and consumption of dog and cat meat still common, but the animals are raised in the most hideous and cruel environments.

On the global day of action, co-sponsored by South Korean animal protection groups CARE and KAAP, IDA will deliver a copy of the video along with hundreds of signed postcards to the consulate . The event is timed to coincide with the second of Korea’s “Bok days” (literally, the hot, dog days of summer). South Korea’s dog meat consumption increases during this time of year because some superstitiously believe they can keep cool by eating animals who do not sweat.

South Korea has passed new animal welfare laws that will offer increased protections to animals used for food, clothing, experimentation, and entertainment. Unfortunately, the new laws do not specifically ban the killing of cats and dogs for human consumption, so IDA will continue working with South Korean animal protection organizations to end this cruel practice.

“Caring citizens in South Korea and around the globe find eating ‘man’s best friends’ difficult to swallow,” says IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM. “Animal cruelty is illegal in most countries and enforcement of the laws banning dog and cat consumption is long overdue in South Korea.”

For more information on IDA’s campaign to end the dog and cat meat trade, please visit www.idausa.org.