Yang, a 73-year-old dog meat farmer from Asan, South Korea, has undergone a remarkable transformation by leaving behind his 30-year profession. Previously, he kept around 200 dogs in cramped cages on his property. However, in a heartwarming gesture, he decided to release all the dogs to an international team of animal advocates in March.
His once dreary property, filled with rusty and filthy cages, has been revitalized into a thriving field of crops like sweet potatoes, peppers, cabbage, and beans. Yang's motivation for farming dog meat was to escape the risks associated with his previous occupation as a cargo truck driver for two decades. He also believed in the health benefits of dog meat consumption, a centuries-old practice in Korea.
In recent years, public opinion turned against the dog meat industry, and demand started to decline. Additionally, Yang found it increasingly challenging to manage the dogs due to his age, leading him to contemplate leaving the industry. His turning point came when he learned about the Humane Society International (HSI) and its Models for Change campaign, which supports dog farmers in transitioning to more compassionate livelihoods.
In March, with the help of an international team, nearly 200 dogs were rescued from Yang's farm. These dogs are now being cared for and are available for adoption in Korea and North America. Since leaving the dog meat trade, Yang's life has flourished, giving him the freedom to travel and attend church. He has no regrets about his decision and hopes that other dog meat farmers can follow suit with proper support.
This inspiring story sheds light on the ongoing challenges related to dog meat consumption in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Indonesia. While there is growing advocacy for legislative action to ban the practice in South Korea, many dog farmers are still hesitant to let go due to economic reasons.
Lee Sang-kyung, the campaign manager of HSI Korea, believes that change can only be achieved through cooperation between the government, animal groups, and dog meat farmers. With the majority of farmers in their 60s and 70s, the transition to more humane livelihoods requires thoughtful support and consideration.
Yang's journey serves as a beacon of hope, not only for the dogs he rescued but also for the possibility of a more compassionate future for all.
Presently, Yang and his wife find sustenance in their thriving farm. The newfound freedom to travel and attend church brings him great joy, and he holds no regrets about his decision. Yang is optimistic that with the right support, other dog meat farmers will follow his lead. It's noteworthy that Korea remains the sole country that intensively farms and slaughters dogs for human consumption. While eating dog meat is a custom found in various Asian countries, several, including Taiwan, the Philippines, and Singapore, have already banned the practice.
Government statistics indicate the existence of over 1,150 dog farms similar to or larger than Yang's, raising approximately 520,000 dogs for human consumption. However, a recent survey conducted by HSI and Nielsen Korea revealed that less than two out of 10 Koreans consumed dog meat in the past year.
The calls for a legislative ban on the dog meat trade are growing stronger. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties at the National Assembly have proposed bills aiming to outlaw the practice while providing financial aid and professional job transition guidance for those in the industry, aligning with HSI's campaign.
Lee, the campaign manager of HSI Korea, views Yang's case as a crucial step towards finding a humane and sustainable solution to end the cruel dog meat trade in Korea. He believes that provoking a new concept among dog meat farmers will result in more significant changes in their lives and that the government and animal groups must work together with an open mind to achieve this.
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