CONTACT: Fleur Dawes, fleur@idausa.org, 415-879-6879

IMAGES AND VIDEO: http://bit.ly/dogsave200

SEOUL, South Korea (February 20, 2018) - Dozens of dogs destined to be eaten have been saved from the butcher’s knife by In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love. 47 puppies and dogs were among the survivors rescued from horrific conditions in slaughterhouses and backyard dog meat farms across South Korea. The American-Korean partnership aims to save 200 dogs this year from the dog meat trade in South Korea and is calling for an outright ban on dog meat.

“We are delighted to have saved 47 dogs from one of the worst fates imaginable,” said Marilyn Kroplick, President of In Defense of Animals. “Puppies were forced to eat garbage on the hellish dog meat farms before we rescued them from a brutal, bloody end. With our brave South Korean partners, we are aiming to save 200 dogs this year and bring them all to new lives in the U.S. and Canada.”

Poodles, Chihuahuas, Corgis, Labradors and native Jindo-breed dogs were among those rescued. Video and photo evidence reveals puppies fed rotting garbage, frightened puppies peering from crammed barren cages, and one little white dog yelping while being dragged on the end of a catch-pole.

All of the dogs are now safe and will be placed with loving forever homes in the US and Canada. Adopters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle are awaiting their new family members.

The dogs were rescued from the provinces of Gyeonggi, South Gyeongsang, and Jeju Island, some just two hours away from where the Olympics is taking place in Pyeongchang. Many restaurants continue to sell 'bosintang’ dog meat stew right by the Olympic park. The Pyeongchang Olympic committee has urged official action on dog meat, stating, “This is a matter which the government should address.”

In Defense of Animals is urging a permanent outright ban on all dog and cat meat. “South Korea has a chance to shine on the international stage by declaring Olympic victory over dog meat cruelty,” said Dr. Kroplick. “Dog meat clashes with South Korea’s modern image and now is the perfect time for the South Korean government to go for gold and stop the slaughter of dogs once and for all.”

Kroplick added, “If we reject dog meat as cruel, we must reflect on the animals who suffer to satisfy our own appetites. We encourage everyone who opposes the cruel abuse of intelligent, social, fun-loving animals to leave all animals off your plate.”

An estimated 2.5 million dogs are butchered in South Korea each year, though younger generations are rapidly shunning dog meat. Jindo Love brings together Korean citizens working actively to end the dog meat trade. The group specializes in saving dogs from situations where they are secretly transported or raised for food.

In Defense of Animals collaborated with Jindo Love in June 2016 to rescue seven dogs from South Korean slaughterhouses. All the dogs were safely transported to loving forever homes via In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi. The project has now evolved into an ambitious new partnership that will see 200 more dogs rescued and found forever homes this year.

“We saved seven dogs from the meat trade with In Defense of Animals in our past collaboration and we are thrilled to announce our new partnership in 2018 to save so many more lives,” said Patti Kim of Jindo Love. “Together we will rescue 200 more dogs from the fate of being tortured and eaten as dog meat trade victims.”

One full rescue and adoption journey costs up to $2,000. For big dogs, who are much harder to place and suffer badly in a butcher’s hands, it costs even more. Please give what you can to save 200 dogs from the dog meat trade: www.idausa.org/dogsave200

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/fightdogmeat

Jindo Love is a group of independent Korean citizens who rescue dogs from the dog meat trade and places them with loving forever homes in the US and Canada. www.facebook.com/groups/1768816309825942

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048