PLEASE READ ITD'S COMMENT AT BASE
'South Korea to toughen law to protect animals from abuse' Korea Herald - 01/07/2002 By Byun Tae-kyung Staff reporter (tkbyun@koreaherald.co.kr)
'The Korean government is seeking to pass a law that would strengthen the current animal protection act, in order to prevent inhumane treatment of animals, officials said yesterday.
"It may be nonsense that foreigners criticize Koreans eating habits in light of cultural relativism," said an official, citing overseas criticism of the custom of eating dog meat in Korea. "But slaughtering dogs in an inhumane way is a matter of serious concern." As part of the post-World cup measures to enhance Korea's international image, the government is taking steps to curb animal abuse, the official said.
The new law envisaged by the government would specifically prevent slaughtering dogs by beating and killing them in open areas, as well as displaying dog meat in restaurants It will also include a ban on slaughtering cows after forcing them to drink an excessive amount of water. Traditionally dogs were hung or beaten with bats to soften the flesh before slaughter. Some people used to force cows to drink water to increase their weight and in turn earn more money, a practice that has almost disappeared now. The new act is designed to eradicate such practices, the officials said. The act would also prohibit using electrocution or chemicals in fishing for financial gains. Applying electric currents to shallow fresh water and spraying lethal chemicals on streams to catch fish are not unheard-of practices. Since no South Korean law bans the sale of dog meat, the government can crack down on dog eating by applying a law against consumption of foods they term "repulsive," including snakes. Animal rights advocates have been pushing for changes to the animal protection law, established in 1991, under which there have been only several convictions.
The animal protection law prohibits killing animals in ways that are "cruel," "provoke disgust," or "inflict unnecessary pain or injury." It also bans the slaughtering of animals "without a proper, rational reason." Meanwhile, the Association of Dog Meat Restaurant Owners have been urging the government to legalize dog meat sales, which they say will ensure hygiene standards.
They sought to promote dog meat during the World Cup finals by setting up tasting booths at various soccer stadiums in Korea. They even considered introducing dog meat sandwiches or burgers, designed to appeal to the tastes of non-Koreans. Some lawmakers took steps to revise a livestock law to include dogs in the category of livestock animals, which fueled extensive criticism from abroad only months before the World Cup.' (ITD'S COMMENT; Don't be fooled by the title of this article. The proposed legislation has nothing to do with preventing animal cruelty, but is simply an attempt to overturn the 1984 Ministry of Health Law banning dog meat as a "disgusting food," not fit for human consumption. This is Kim Hong-Shin's 2001 bill in another guise (go to http://www.2kat.net/itstheirdestiny/ProposedLaw.html to read the 27/12/01 Ananova report). Under the proposed law, the torture and slaughter would be legal if performed in slaughter-houses or even private back-yards of homes and restaurants. Only public torture and killing in the markets would be affected! And what are the chances of even this being enforced, when the sale of dog meat has been illegal since 1984 with only a handful of prosecutions? Please send protest emails to the following;
President Kim, Dae-Jung, Prime Minister Lee, Han-Dong, and Senior Ministers and Assemblymen.
webmaster@cwd.go.kr;m_opm@opm.go.kr;spokeman@assembly.go.kr;mskim@www.assembly.go.kr; genuine@cyberparty.or.kr;skn@skn.or.kr;webmaster@koy.or.kr;afec@assembly.go.kr;minister@maf.go.kr; wmaster@mohw.go.kr;minister@me.go.kr;leems@assembly.go.kr;jongha@assembly.go.kr;sslee@assembly.go.kr; joocheon@assembly.go.kr;duchoi@Netian.com; pmh406@assembly.go.kr;yt-chun@hanmail.net;lawer21@chollian.net;qt517@assembly.go.kr; kho@fic.or.kr;miruksa@assembly.go.kr;pkt@kwangtae.or.kr;junyw@assembly.go.kr;yyt@eyyt.com; cjkim@assembly.go.kr;yunsklee@netsgo.com;itstheirdestiny@uk6.net

Sample email
"Dear Sir/Madam
I was both shocked and dismayed to hear of the latest proposed attempt to legalise the torture and slaughter of dogs for meat under the guise of an animal welfare law, as reported in the Korea Herald 01/07/02. I cannot believe that such a Law would decrease the torture and suffering of these animals, but would merely lend a facade of respectability to this trade. The passing of this legislation would certainly not improve your Country's standing in the eyes of the world. I would therefore urge you to oppose this Bill, and to instead support measures to enforce your existing Laws to end the consumption of dog and cat meat permanently. Other Asian countries with a tradition of dog eating have done this, and as you must be aware, this "tradition" only began in Korea during the famine resulting from the war during the 1950s. Until such time as this action is taken, I will not buy any goods from Korea, nor will I visit your Country. I will also do everything within my power to persuade others to do the same.
Yours sincerely
Name/Country"
Let us not be in any doubt - if this obscene law is passed, human consumption of dog meat will become firmly established as an everyday part of Korean life and it will be the first time in history anywhere that dogs have been legally classified as livestock. - ITD

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