The master plan will set standards and regulations for emerging related industries, such as cremation service providers and pet sitters as well. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jul. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s agriculture ministry said Wednesday it is drawing up a five-year plan on improving the welfare of animals in the country, which will focus on adopting tougher regulations against animal cruelty and providing them with a better living environment.
Under the 2020-2024 plan which is anticipated to be announced in December, the South Korean government will revise animal-related regulations in different areas from raising pets to carrying out animal tests, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Among others, the government said it will redefine the scope of actions that can be considered as animal cruelty.
When implemented, abandoning pets also will be considered an abusive action and violators will face stronger punishment.
Any maltreatment that leads to the death of animals may be punishable with a jail term of three years or a fine of 30 million won (US$25,638), up from the current ceiling of two years and 20 million won.
Animal abusers may also be banned from owning pets in the future, it added.
The government will consider making it mandatory for animal sellers to register them before making sales.
Breeding farms will be required to provide better living conditions for animals in terms of the size of cages and the number of employees.
The master plan will set standards and regulations for emerging related industries, such as cremation service providers and pet sitters as well.
The government will also prepare guidelines to cope with stray animals, including making shelters for pets in case of disasters.
Other measures include setting rules for making it mandatory for research labs to keep track of test animals and apply stronger regulations on using them for experiments.
(Yonhap)
What about the slaughterhouses and all that horrid torture they endure until their last breath?? I am reading that
+”Any maltreatment that leads to death of animals may be punishable with jail time of a term of 3 years or a fine of 30million won”. Does that mean NO MORE TORTURING ANIMALS? Or can they STILL torture them as long as they don’t die?? Also,Im reading “Breeding farms will be required to provide better living conditions for animals in terms of the size of cages and number of employees”. What about “BREEDING FARMS WILL BE SHUTDOWN BECAUSE WITHOUT BREEDING FARMS THERE ARE NO DOGS BEING SOLD TO TORTUROUS SLAUGHTERHOUSES”??? They need to make a living I know but sell something else!!! What about dogs no longer being considered “LIVESTOCK”. What about “If you steal your neighbors dog you go to jail”.What about “All slaughterhouses will be SHUTDOWN”.Im hoping these things will all be addressed as well or maybe they are but Im too dumb to see it.
I was appalled to learn of deplorable conditions endure by all animals. All living beings deserve to live a healthy life and not to be forced to endure captivity in filthy conditions, under stress, and to be treated with this horrible cruelty. Please stop the massacre of so many dogs and cats, and I urge you to end the dog and cat meat trade. I feel it is my duty to bring to your attention that this barbaric industry, a heinous practice that has caught the attention of millions of people around the world. This industry is the source of immense suffering and unbearable torture to animals. As an animal lover, and part of a high-profile animal right group, which has supporters across the globe, I wish to register my deep concern about this horrible torture to animals in your country. Stop the cruelty to them. I urge you to promote compassion and to halt funding experiments on animals, that torture to them is unacceptable. I sincerely ask that the government immediately begins policing and enforcing your animal protection laws. I think it is time to change, it is time to evolve and to be better human beings.
This seems to indicate that there is a current sentence of imprisonment and/or fine for maltreatment that leads to the death of an animal. Having seen the many appalling pictures of dogs being tortured and killed for the south Korean dog meat trade, I had assumed there was no animal cruelty legislation at all. Is it that the law is not being implemented? If so then raising the sentencing ceiling hardly seems relevant. I am confused.