Approximately 91.3% of cattle euthanized last year due to lumpy skin disease died in pain while conscious. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — An animal rights organization’s investigation has revealed that approximately 91.3% of cattle euthanized last year due to lumpy skin disease died in pain while conscious.
The Korean Animal Welfare Association conducted a study of the euthanasia records from October 20 to November 20 of last year, the period following the first outbreak of lumpy skin disease in South Korea.
The study encompassed 34 local governments nationwide and found that out of 6,416 Korean beef and dairy cattle euthanized at 108 farms, about 5,859 (approximately 91.3%) were put down in a manner causing them suffering.
Lumpy skin disease is a viral illness that affects cattle, characterized by nodules on the skin and organs, enlarged lymph nodes, and skin edema. It is classified as a first-class livestock infectious disease under the Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases.
The investigation revealed that among 34 local governments, only the municipalities of Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province (with 484 cattle euthanized) and Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province (13 cattle euthanized) used anesthetics during the euthanasia process.
Thirty local governments only used muscle relaxants, while Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province (13 cattle euthanized) and Sinan County in South Jeolla Province (60 cattle euthanized) conducted euthanasia through drug use, but did not disclose or lacked information on the drugs used.
Including the 73 cattle euthanized in Cheorwon and Sinan, the percentage of cattle dying in pain reached 92%.
According to Article 13 of the Animal Protection Act, when killing animals, the process must minimize pain and ensure the animal is unconscious before proceeding to slaughter.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ emergency guidelines for lumpy skin disease, published in July of last year, also include these provisions.
Kang Jae-won, an activist with the Korean Animal Welfare Association, explained, “Anesthetics should be sufficiently administered to completely sedate the animal before euthanization.
If euthanasia is conducted using muscle relaxants like succinylcholine without anesthetics, the animal remains conscious and experiences the pain caused by the drug while dying.”
The organization emphasized the need for fundamental legal measures to minimize the scope of euthanasia and prevent animals from dying in pain during the process.
They pointed out that the current Act on the Prevention of Contagious Animal Diseases only allows mayors and district heads to order euthanasia, without providing a legal basis to prevent improper practices by local governments.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
