The government of South Korea on Tuesday (January 9), passed a Bill that calls for a complete pause on the production and sale of dog meat. Post this decision the campaigners hailed in joy celebrating it as a ‘historic victory’.
The bill separates from criminalizing the consumption rather aims to completely ban the breeding and the distribution of dogs for their meat by 2027. Earlier cow’s meat was majorly consumed but because of its high price and as it also needed a government permit to slaughter people jumped to dog’s meat as the best replacement source of protein and was enjoyed by many.
With the spike in pet ownership and the high awareness of animal welfare groups, the practice of slaughtering dogs dropped. The latest survey reported by The New York Times says 93% of South Korean adults refused to consume the dog’s meat whereas 82% supported a ban.
What does the Bill say?
The Bill stands in favor of having a complete pause in the cruel slaughtering of dogs, that is, banning its consumption. The animal activists claim that the dogs are electrocuted, and hanged during the process.
However the Bill is said to be implemented by 2027 giving a grace period of three years to the dog farm owners and other workers to shift or close their business. The Bill also adds punishment in case of violating the law. Slaughtering dogs can attract fine up to 30 million (approx. 19 lakh) or imprisonment up to three years. Whereas selling or breeding dogs can lead to two years of prison or a fine of twenty million (approx. 13 lakh).
