Fw: Korean animals demonstrations

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" Iaka " <iaka

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Wednesday, 30 May, 2001 07:02

Korean animals demonstrations

 

 

PLEASE JOIN US IN LONDON ON JULY 16TH TO HELP END THE HORROR!

 

Demonstration to protest South Korea’s illegal dog-meat trade

 

When: Monday, July 16, 2001, 11:30 a.m.

 

Where: We will meet at the Korean Embassy, 60 Buckingham Gate, and proceed

first to the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing St, and then to the

House of Commons.

 

Contact:

In the U.K.:

IAKA/KAPS, c/o Denise Potter

Flat 13, Christchurch, Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2PN, UK

e-mail: denise

 

International inquiries:

International Aid for Korean Animals

P.O. Box 20600, Oakland, CA 94620-0600, USA

Tel: +1-510-271-6795, Fax: +1-510-451-0643

e-mail: iaka

website: www.koreananimals.org

 

The demonstration will feature a special guest, the dog Hope. Last

November, Britain’s ITN Channel 5 traveled to Korea to film a documentary on

the dog markets. In one of the markets, ITN reporter Mark Jordan rescued a

dog headed for the slaughterhouse and named him Hope. Hope was brought to

England and was released from quarantine on April 24, and he will be

marching at the front of our demonstration as a living representative of the

loving and highly intelligent dogs who are bred for food or stolen from pet

owners in South Korea.

 

Goal of the Demonstration

The demonstration is intended to highlight the Korean Government’s failure

to enforce its own Animal Protection Law banning cruelty to animals and the

Ministry of Health Law that bans Dog Meat Stew as a “disgusting food,” not

intended for human consumption. The Korea Animal Protection Society in Korea

and its sister organization, International Aid for Korean Animals in

California, have called for worldwide demonstrations until the Korean

government enforces the laws and ends the dog and cat meat trade.

July 16 is the first of three “Bok Days” (hot dog days”) of the summer,

which Koreans believe are the optimal time for reaping the benefits of

eating dog meat. On these three days, more dog meat is consumed than at any

other time.

 

The Problem

Each year, millions of dogs and hundreds of thousands of cats are tortured,

killed, and eaten in South Korea in the name of mythical health benefits.

Despite the disclaimers of scientists, many Koreans continue to believe that

dog-meat stew (boshintang) enhances male virility and that cat juice

(goyangi soju) eases rheumatism.

The plight of these animals is horrific. Raised in rural farms or urban

backyards, dog spend their entire lives in cramped wire cages where they

suffer from dehydration and hunger, exposure to the elements, unsanitary

conditions, and abuse. Then they are dragged from their cages and

deliberately tortured to death. Most dogs are hung, bludgeoned with pipes

or hammers, or electrocuted. A blowtorch is used to burn the hair off and

brown the skin, sometimes while the dog is still alive. These violent

methods of killing are thought to both tenderize the flesh and improve its

aphrodisiacal qualities by stimulating the release of adrenaline. The more

the dog suffers, the more flavorful and beneficial the meat is thought to

be.

Cats are also consumed in S. Korea. Pets and strays are often killed by

being placed in sacks and pounded against the ground. Sometimes, while

still alive, the cats are thrown into large pots of boiling water and cooked

with ginger, dates, and chestnuts until liquefied into “cat juice,” which

dealers claim will cure rheumatism.

 

Creating Change

By rallying together to protest these abuses, we have been able to make

effective change. Through international protests the Korean government

passed the Animal Protection Law in 1991. If we show our support of the

companion animals of Korea, we can expect effective amendments to the

existing Law and the end to the torture, slaughter, and consumption of dogs

and cats in Korea.

 

About IAKA/KAPS

International Aid for Korean Animals and Korea Animal Protection Society are

the only two groups that focus exclusively on the plight of companion

animals in Korea. As sister organizations, they work hand in hand: IAKA

raises funds and promotes awareness within the international community,

while KAPS provides animal rescue and welfare services, lobbies, and

organizes protest demonstrations within Korea. Together, they seek to put

an end to the torturing, slaughter, and consumption of dogs and cats in

Korea.

 

Kyenan Kum

www.koreananimals.org

E-mail: iaka

International Aid for Korean Animals & Korean Animal Protection Society

P.O. Box 20600

Oakland, CA 94620-0600

Tel.: (510) 271-6795, Fax: (510) 451-0643

 

*Print out petitions from www.koreananimals.org/campaign.htm!*