The Horrifying Truth of Dog Meat Trade THE PLIGHT OF WORKING DOG BREEDS IN ASIA
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early every second a dog is inhumanely and, in many cases, illegally slaughtered in Asia amounting to over 30 million dogs killed every year for their meat. Many more are estimated to be killed across the globe according to various rescue organizations tracking the dog meat trade, however, this number is not formally tracked in most countries. Much of the demand comes from China, Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nagaland in northern India, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, as well as 20 countries in Africa and Switzerland. Historically, most of these countries believe dog meat has health benefits, including improving circulation and raising body temperature, as well as other healing qualities. In many cases, dogs are severely tortured because it is believed to enhance the taste of the meat. Unfortunately, in recent months (July 2019) this included blowtorching and skinning dogs alive in South Korea. Numerous factors contribute to the persistence of the dog meat industry, including the absence of animal welfare, humane raising, slaughtering regulations and law enforcement, criminal enterprises profiting from dog slaughter, and a general lack of awareness globally on the plight of man’s best friend in Asia and Africa.
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Photos by World Dog Alliance | scmp.com
What would you do?
Imagine if you walked out to your backyard to bring your dog inside after a bit of playing before dinner and she was gone. Later you learn of an illegal slaughterhouse nearby where criminal gangs have been stealing people’s dogs and selling them for profit while the dogs endure horrific deaths. What would you do? This happened to a Malinois owner in Chengdu, China. The owner was able to track down her dog to such a slaughterhouse, recognized her Malinois, and then filmed the slaughterhouse. Afterward, she went to the police for help as she was too scared to confront the slaughterhouse owner herself. Unfortunately, by the time she arrived a few hours later, she was too late to save her Mal. Her dog had been murdered by the butcher.
Why is this happening?
While the specific root cause varies from country to country, in general, there is an absence of animal welfare laws in place to regulate the treatment of any animal – in life and death. Where there are some types of regulation, they are often not enforced. Such is the case with meat trucks carrying thousands of dogs to slaughter daily in China. For example, regulations in China state that each dog on the truck must have a health certificate. However, since a large number of these dogs are stolen or strays, they rarely do and regulatory enforcement by police is uncommon.
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Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nagaland in northern India, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, as well as 20 countries in Africa and Switzerland. Historically, dog meat is viewed as possessing healing or other qualities in these countries. In many cases dogs are severely tortured as it is believed to enhance the Summary of animal welfare laws: Additionally, the economic model for raising dogs tasteforofconsumption the dog meat. Most unfortunately in the recent Currently, in China, there is no nationwide law is difficult; however, the profits to be(July gained fromthis selling stolen blow dogs to slaughter months 2019) included torching as well as to explicitly protect any animal from abuse. While draft proposals and legislation have circulated is substantial. This tends to fuel criminal activities skinning dogsgangs alivesteal in South Korea. factors for years, the Chinese government seems to wherein pets and straysNumerous for funds. It is continuously place economic development estimated that as many as 80% of all dogs consumed contribute to the persistence of the dog meat industry above protections for animals, workers, and the in China are stolen pets – many arriving at the including: the absence of animal humane slaughterhouse with collars and welfare, identification tags raising, environment. Hence, it is not illegal to maim, torture, or abuse a dog or any animal. Even still around their necks. While many Chinese activists slaughtering regulations and law enforcement, criminal Just a few of the Belgian Malinois and GSDs saved from China though pet ownership has risen tremendously, relentlessly, and with tremendous courage, stop meat trucks onprofiting highwaysfrom in andog attempt to save dogs enterprises slaughter, and afrom general lack China does not legally recognize dogs as companion animals. Progress is slowly being the slaughterhouse, the size and geography of this of awareness globally on the plight of man’s best friend in made.What would you do if….you walked out to your issue exceed their capacity. At this year’s national conference, with the help Asia and Africa. to bring your dog after a bit of playing be of thebackyard global activist community, GuoinChanggang, member of theand National CPPCC, dinner she was gone?proposed: Then you learned of an ille Where dog meat is consumed? “The international community generally regards slaughterhouse wherein domestic dogs as friendsnearby of human beings.criminal gangs had b We recommend that the dogs classified stealing people’s dogsbe and cashingasthem in for profit +$10B/Yr companion animals for legislative protection, Industry thethe dogs endured horrific deaths. This happened to a enhance global influence of Chinese civilization, and help build the community of Malinois owner in Chengdu, China. She tracked down human destiny.” Thisdog proposal hasanot yet been accepted to such slaughterhouse, saworher dog and filme rejected, however, Chinese animal activists have How many dogs are slaughtered annually? slaughterhouse. She then brought the police to help campaigned widely in support of the proposal and itwas has also tremendous the too received scared to confront aid thefrom slaughterhouse owne Worldwide +30M international community. If you have a presence China 20M Unfortunately, she was latetime to save her Mal. By t in mainland China, it would be atoo great to Vietnam 5M join intime theirshe campaigns help hours build on theseher Mal had been arrivedtoa few later, Cambodia 5M first small steps towards a more comprehensive murdered by the dog national animal protection law.butcher. South Korea 2.5M Breeds such as Belgian Malinois, GSDs, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, Dobermans, Huskies, Samoyeds, Poodles, and Spaniels are common victims in the meat trade
How are they killed? Dogs are bludgeoned with metal pipes and hammers, stabbed in the neck or groin, hanged, electrocuted, boiled and sometimes even torched alive.
Are they tortured? Yes – many are deliberately beaten, dragged, and electrocuted as this is believed to enhance the flavor of the meat in many Asian cultures.
Disease and Societal Impact
The dog meat industry is unregulated, inhumane and unsanitary – with many diseased dogs killed for consumption. This had led to the spread of rabies, cholera, E-coli and even Ebola. The open inhumane slaughter of dogs in markets is viewed by children teaching a disregard for the pain and life of other beings.
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Ultimately, China and other nations need to embrace animal welfare laws, ban dog and cat meat, and enforce severe consequences Whilefor the specific root ca noncompliance. From a United State’s perspective, varies country to country, in general, we should consider significant exportation fees there is an abse and penalties on those who export to countries animal welfare laws in place to regulate the treatmen that lack appropriate animal welfare laws as well as remove the onerous importation any animal – in administrative life and in death. Wherein there is so barriers for those rescue groups saving dogs in typerehoming of regulation, is often not enforced. This is the Asia and them initthe USA or elsewhere. In the absence of animal welfare laws,1000s local of dogs to slaug with dog meat trucks carrying Chinese activists will often file food and health daily in China. state, code violation reports Regulations when a dog den or for example, in Chin slaughterhouse discovered. is a great each dogison the truckItmust haveboost a health certificate. of morale for activists and the international large,when thesethey dogs do (since the dogs are often community arerarely successful in permanently closing such vile establishments.
Why is this happening?
pets or strays) and regulatory enforcement by police Additionally, the economic model for raising dogs for
Working Dog Magazine: The Horrifying Truth of Dog Meat Trade and the plight of working dog breeds in Asia consumption is difficult; however, the profits to be gained from selling stolen dogs to slaughter is substantial. This has We need your help! fueled criminal activities wherein gangs steal pets and Thankfully, there are several you that can as many as strays to fund their activities. It isactions estimated take to help change this dire situation including 80% of allthe dogs consumed in Chinawith are stolen spreading word, volunteering rescuepets – many arriving at theand slaughterhouse with collars and organizations, voicing concerns with your identification tags still around their necks. While, many federal and state elected officials. Chinese activists relentlessly and with tremendous courage stop meat trucks on the highways and attempt to save dogs Help raise awareness: from the slaughterhouse, the size and geography of this We need more people to become educated on issue exceeds their talk capacity. this atrocity. Please about it with your family,
neighbors, 86%there Summary ocolleagues, f animal weand lfarecommunities. laws: Currently,Since in China, of the USA and 57% of Canadian households own is no nationwide law to explicitly protect any animal from a pet, there is power in sharing information about abuse. While draft proposals and legislation have circulated this issue – sadly many are still unaware that this is for years, the government to continuously place happening. You can share seems pictures, articles, stories, above protections forothers animals, oreconomic engage indevelopment conversations about to inform workers and the environment. Hence, it is not illegal in about this brutality. China to maim, torture, or abuse a dog or any animal. Even While it may be difficult to imagine the pain though pet ownership has risen tremendously, China as an and loss of having your own dog stolen and sold into dog meat in various parts of the world, example doestrade, not legally recognize dogs as companion this is the Progress reality for many pet owners. The With public, animals. is very slowly being made. the help mainstream leaders in countries of the globalmedia, activistand community, at several this year's National still refuse to acknowledge this atrocityoffor of Conference, Guo Changgang, member thefear National being too political, for going against traditions, or CPPCC proposed: “The international community generally due to culture differences – no matter how savage regards domestic dogs as friends of human beings. We or uncivil. These are the excuses we often hear as recommend the dogselse’s be classified as companion this is viewed that as someone problem. We then animals for legislative protection, the global must ask ourselves, when did our enhance compassion have influence of Chinese civilization, and help build borders? When is it ever okay to ignore animalthe community of human destiny." This proposal has not yet cruelty? been accepted or rejected. However, Chinese animal activists have campaigned widely in support for this proposal and the proposal has also received tremendous support from the international community. If you have presence in mainland China, it would be most helpful at this time to join in their campaigns to help build on these first small steps towards a more comprehensive national animal protection law.
Ultimately, China and other nations need to embrace animal welfare laws, ban dog and cat meat, and enforce severe consequences for noncompliance. From a USA perspective, we should consider significant exportation fees and penalties on those who export to countries which lack appropriate animal welfare laws as well as remove the onerous administrative importation barriers for those rescue groups saving dogs in Asia and rehoming them in the USA or elsewhere.
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In the absence of animal welfare laws, local Chinese activists will often file food and health code violation Get involved with a slaughterhouse rescue reports when a dog den or dog is discovered. It is a great boost of morale for activists and for organization: the While international community when they successful in there are many worthy andare wellpermanently closing such vile establishments. known international groups you can support, the small local rescue groups with boots on the most impactful, although Wground e needare youoften r helpthe ! Thankfully, there are several actions relatively These small groups you can takeunknown. to help change this dire local situation including operate independently, often using their own spreading the word, volunteering with rescue personal incomes to sustain rescue operations. organizations, andyou voicing your concern with and your federal We encourage to research, connect, and state elected officials. local groups who are network with reputable actively rescuing. Help raise awareness: We need more people to become educated on this atrocity. Please talk about it with your family, your neighbors, your colleagues and in your e-newsletter | 4
og Meat Trade and the plight of working dog breeds in Asia
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“ As an internat ional communit y, we cannot creat e laws for anot her count ry, but we can support t he efforts from t hose wit hin and we must cont inue applying int ernat ional pressure from every angle for t he prot ect ion of man’s best st friend.” - Nom Aly – Int ernat ional Animal Rights Act –iviBianca Fox, Executive Program Director, Plush Bears Shelter
“The dog meat trade is a sea of savage crime and incomprehensible cruelty.”
The Impact of t he dog meat t rade: Research tells us that those who inflict harm on animals are highly likely to These groups face monumental challenges with daily care and lack the network for foster/adoption placements needed abroad. Your monetary contributions and volunteer work make all the difference in changing the lives of these dog meat survivors. Many of the dog meat trade survivors go on to become ambassadors of the trade and the voice for those that still need saving. A list of organizations actively saving dogs from the meat trade is provided at the end of this article.
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Share your concerns with your federal, state and local officials: Please write and call your U.S. House Representatives, State Senators, Mayor, Governor, President, and Embassies. These are leaders who have the influence to raise the issue and can seek diplomatic relations with respective countries to help put an end to this cruel trade. The suffering of these dogs will only continue if we and our government look the other way.
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“As an international community, we cannot create laws for another country, but we can support the efforts from those within and we must continue applying international pressure from every angle for the protection man’s best friend.” Working Dogof Magazine: The Horrifying Truth of Dog Meat Trade
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– Nom Aly, International Animal Rights Activist Laws prohibiting working dogs in China: The laws in China prohibit ownership of large breeds higher than the knee in urban and metropolitan areas. Currently, people are having their dogs taken from them and either beaten or drowned by police. Any stray or unregistered dog is vulnerable to experiencing such a horrible death. The culling of dogs was initially aimed at reducing rabies even though rabies vaccine is widely available. Banned breeds include: Tibetan Mastiff, Boxer, Chinese Rural Dog, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Dobermann, B elgian Shepherd, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Irish Setter, Greyhound, G erman Shepherd, Chinese Chongqing Dog, Borzoi, Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, English Mastiff, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Neapolitan Mastiff, Bedlington Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Afghan Hound, Pointer, Akita, Newfoundland, Weimaraner, Bloodhound, and Basenji.
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The impact of the dog meat trade:
Research tells us that those who inflict harm on animals are highly likely to be involved in other social ills, such as criminal behavior and violence towards children and adults. Additionally, the moral and ethical implications of the utter disregard for the treatment of animals underscores the absence of a civilized society. Lastly, and perhaps ironically, the lack of animal welfare laws also endangers humans as to how animals are raised, fed, transported, kept free from disease, and slaughtered are unregulated. There is an immense and alarming disregard for dogs’ lives as they are beaten, tortured, and required to travel for days without food or water unable to move. They are often subject to the spread of disease which ultimately results in the disregard for human life for those who consume the meat. Now, one might rightly say that it is a deserving consequence; however, it does nothing to stop the future of millions of dogs who will continue to endure torturous deaths.
Understanding your responsibility relative to responsible breeding and exporting: Many dogs who are dumped at Chinese slaughterhouses are abused breeding dogs. They are used until they are no longer profitable and then sold for meat. These dogs may come from overseas bloodlines wherein they are sold to the military, police, or other personal protection firms who are then able to begin their own breeding programs. Genetic testing has shown at least one Mal rescued from China has several close family members in the USA – including one IPO regional champion and another military working dog. Then due to oversupply, poor breeding practices and greed, excess dogs or those with genetic or other illnesses or deficits are sold to the slaughterhouse for a quick profit. This is also seen with greyhounds in the racing industry, and other dog breeds which become popular in the media or film industry. Given the lack of responsible breeding as well as animal welfare laws to protect dogs from abuse and torture, working dog breeders are strongly cautioned against exporting dogs in general. Additionally, thoughtful contract clauses should be considered to require the tracking, tracing, and control of the whereabouts of all dogs. Clauses prohibiting new owners from exporting dogs or their offspring are highly encouraged.
How you can help end the dog meat trade: There are hundreds of animal rescue and welfare organizations working tirelessly to enact welfare laws to protect animals from abuse and put an end to the dog meat trade around the world. If you are interested in supporting these efforts in your local area, fostering, adopting, fundraising or advocating for animal rights, please consider contacting one of the organizations below.
Please support organizations rescuing working (and all) dogs from the meat trade through donation, advocacy, as well as adoption: plushbearshelters.org
facebook.com/malinoisrescueleague rustondogrescue.org candycanerescue.org onepawatatimedogrescue.co.uk littlechinadogrescue.com
To help save more working dogs from the horrors of the slaughterhouses in China, please consider showing your support by purchasing a K9 Tactical Gear Working Dog Slaughterhouse Survivor Air Lite 1.5inch collar at k9tacticalgear.com.
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