Animal activists protest against Korean dog cruelty
Date: 31-May-02
Country: SOUTH KOREA
"We are coinciding this protest with the World Cup because we realised that the eyes of the world are on Korea at this moment," said Yvonne Taylor, a Scottish member of the international animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The protesters called on the government to stop what they say is the torture of cats and dogs destined to be eaten or used to make health tonics.
In a bid to illustrate there concerns some activists crammed into a dog cages in the protest in front of Seoul's city hall.
Certain breeds of dog are raised to be eaten in South Korea, notably in poshintang - literally "body preservation stew" - a delicacy which some advocates say is healthy.
The activists say some of these dogs are intentionally tortured in South Korea, as pain-induced hormones are believed to boost men's virility, while cats are tossed alive into boiling water to extract their juices for healthy tonics.
"Until the Korean government tightens cruelty legislation, nobody's ever going to regard this place as a world-class destination for tourists," Taylor said.
South Korea, which has banned torture and cruelty in the handling of dogs raised for the table, has long had to fend off attacks from animal rights activists such as actress Brigitte Bardot.
PETA coordinator Jason Baker told Reuters: "We want the Korean government to specifically prohibit the electrocution, beating, hanging and boiling alive of cats and dogs."
There are 4,000 registered dog-meat restaurants in South Korea and about 10 percent of the population are believed to regularly consume dog. Less than a quarter of dogs in South Korea are bred as pets.
Dog meat is popular in some other Asian countries as well.
