South Korea’s parliament has passed a bill to ban the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption, putting an end to the traditional but controversial practice. Now the document is to be signed by President Yun Seok-yeol.
This was reported by CNN.
If a person intentionally kills a dog for cooking, they will be imprisoned for three years and fined 30 million Korean won (about $23,000). The changes are aimed at the “production” industry, as there are no penalties for consumers.
Fines and prison sentences are imposed on those who breed dogs for human consumption or knowingly buy, transport, store, or sell food made from dogs.
Farm and restaurant owners, as well as other people involved in the dog meat industry, will be given three years to close their businesses or change their field of activity. A complete ban on dog meat will come into effect in 2027.
In recent years, South Koreans have been increasingly refusing to eat dog meat. According to a Gallup Korea survey, in 2022, only 8% of respondents ate dog meat, compared to 27% in 2015.
- As of 2022, there were about 1,150 dog farms in South Korea and more than half a million dogs raised for meat, a significant decrease from a decade ago. The decline in demand for dog meat reflects a change in the perception of this tradition in society. Recently, the number of dogs kept as pets has been growing in the country.
