The international community is rejoicing. South Korean authorities shut down a well-known dog meat marketplace. Surprisingly, it was the actions of local vendors and authorities that made the closing of one of the largest dog meat markets in South Korea possible. What a fantastic way to work together!
Infamous Slaughterhouse
Humane Society International (HSI) made the announcement in early July. Apparently, Gupo Market, located in Busan, South Korea has quite the reputation. Animal rights organizations say it’s a“notorious” dog meat market. It’s known for selling chilled dog meat and “live dogs killed to order.”
Fortunately, the market was shutdown for good. Better still, HSI reported workers rescued more than 80 dogs from the facility. Rescuers transferred the survivors to safer conditions with the Humane Society International/Korea, the Korean Animal Welfare Association, and other organizations.
57 Dogs Saved From Korean Meat Market Are Enjoying Their New Lives In The U.S.
Government officials say they will transform the area into a public park. Well, that sounds like a much better use of the space! One day, maybe those rescued dogs will play in that park.
In a statement, Nara Kim, an anti-dog meat campaigner for HSI and Humane Society Korea said, “I cannot express enough my joy at helping to close down the dog meat shops and slaughterhouse at Gupo market.”
She continued, “The closure of Gupo’s dog meat market means the end of a gruesome era in South Korea’s dog meat history. [It is] a sign of the times that law enforcement and local authorities are cracking down on this increasingly unpopular industry that most Koreans want nothing to do with.”
A History of Fighting Slaughter
Remarkably, HSI said the Gupo closure was the first-ever “where complete agreement has been reached between the vendors and local authorities.”
HSI wrote this promising message on their Facebook account:
“This major victory not only means an end to dog meat at Gupo, but it’s shining evidence of the strong tide turning against the dog meat trade in South Korea!”
The video below shows raw footage of the rescue. It’s incredibly moving. Get to know the brave dogs that survived these unimaginable conditions. Cheers to these survivors and the workers that rescued them!
Featured Image c/o HSI Korea
Toledo, United States.
