Subject: A good anti-dogmeat letter?

[Guest guest]

Jill Robinson nikgreen , aapn ,

Anneleise Smillie

 

Hi all, here's one we use, but more generic to our " Friends....or Food "

campaign in Asia, rather than referring specifically to Korea - am sure

Kyenan Kum of KAPS has one. Still, please feel to use if helpful...Jill.

 

Jill Robinson MBE Animals Asia Foundation

 

Dear

 

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to write to us over your concern

for animals. At Animals Asia we believe that all animals are sentient

beings, capable of feeling pain and equally deserving of our respect. Whilst

we could theoretically be arguing to get all animals off the menu, we need

to make a start somewhere and believe that dogs, as our age old best

friends, can serve as valuable ambassadors for all animal species. If one

can feel compassion for an individual animal, then hopefully this compassion

will expand to include an entire species and then eventually lend itself to

the better treatment of other 'livestock' animals. Whilst it is difficult to

avoid double standards by deeming one animal a companion and another a

'food' animal (suffering cannot be excused with the argument that an animal

has been purposely bred for food), change begins with just a few individual

animals spreading compassion and hope for all species.

 

As you say, it is important that any kind of meat for the table should be

humanely reared and slaughtered, however in the case of dogs this is not

possible: Dogs are difficult to raise en-masse and no government in any

country has devised a way of killing them humanely for commercial purposes.

A Hong Kong Government Agriculture and Fisheries representative has recently

stated that dogs cannot be humanely raised and slaughtered for food.

 

Other reasons for dogs not to be farmed for food

 

1. They are pack animals and hierarchy is very important - The competition

for limited food and the stress of seeing other dogs slaughtered in front of

them - all senses of hearing, smell and sight witnessing the death of their

cage mates leads to aggression and fighting.

 

2. Herd animals have evolved to adapt better to live in groups.Unlike pack

animals such as dogs, farm animals have been genetically selected to adapt

better to captivity and farming practices. Dogs have naturally evolved as

companions and protectors of people. In addition, dogs fighting with other

dogs - ie carnivore attacking carnivore, causes much damage as they are

equipped to seriously wound each other.

 

3. Humans have historically never kept carnivores en-masse as livestock

animals, partly because of the difficulty in raising them and perhaps also

because of the increased risk of disease that can be transmitted from animal

to human.

 

Cultural relativism is often a stock argument against certain eating

practices and what may be considered a delicacy in one country is often

thought of as abhorrent in another. There are many conflicting views over

the practice of dog eating and arguments are mired in accusations and

distorted facts. Cruelty to animals is not unique to Asia, animals all over

the world are mistreated, be it in factory farming, the fur trade, sport

hunting or in animal testing. But rather than happening behind closed doors

as it often does in the West, the cruelty in Asia is more open and therefore

subject to greater scrutiny and judgement.

 

What is important, is that change for the better really is happening and

many practices which were once acceptable or seen as a basic right, are now

widely accepted as barbaric. More and more people across Asia are seeing

dogs and cats as companion animals. Animals Asia itself and our partner

groups are made up of many Asian Directors, staff and supporters - all

promoting a new respect for all animals. We really do believe that attitudes

are changing and that the issue of cruelty to all species within Asia can be

addressed and practical solutions found, that work with the support and

understanding of local communities.

 

We are working very hard in countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam and

South Korea with government departments, (as well as with international

lawyers,) to encourage the implementation / enforcement of animal welfare

legislation and see education as a vital first step to mass improvement of

animal welfare in Asia. Please visit our website for further information on

our new umbrella campaign, " Friends or Food " which addresses the problems of

cat and dog consumption in Asia.

 

I do hope that this answers some of your questions and please feel free to

contact me directly if you have any further queries or would like more

information on any of our work to help animals in Asia.

 

Thank you again for your support and concern - we look forward to the day

when people around the world share a love and respect for all animals.

 

Warmest wishes,

 

Anneleise Projects Coordinator Animals Asia Foundation

 

Find out more about the historic China Bear Rescue and our Friends....or

Food campaign by visiting the Animals Asia Foundation website at

http://www.animalsasia.org/

 

> Nikki Green wrote:

> Has anyone got a good no nonsense letter to send to Korean authorities on

why Dogmeat should be banned - I (had a good one but can't find it) not one

that threatens boycotting or is bound to get their backs up?

This site has great address links but I think the sample letter will upset

the people that we're trying to get on our side!?

http://www.2kat.net/itstheirdestiny/ProposedLaw.html

Jill didn't you have one from Animals Asia?

Thanks Nikki