According to CARE, dog farmers are punishable by law only when dogs are killed using cruel methods or when they are killed in public places in the presence of other dogs. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Animal rights group CARE revealed yesterday that a local court has found guilty a defendant accused of “killing an animal without reasonable cause.”
The defendant killed the dog for the purpose of producing dog meat for consumption.
According to CARE, the dog farm owner in Bucheon was prosecuted for killing his dog with an electrocuting device on October 10, and was fined 3 million won on April 16.
The current legal framework makes it possible for dogs to be reared for consumption.
According to CARE, dog farmers are punishable by law only when dogs are killed using cruel methods or when they are killed in public places in the presence of other dogs.
“Such measures,” said an official at CARE, “cannot stop the slaughtering of dogs when done elusively at illegal dog farms.”
But the recent landmark ruling will pave the way for outlawing dog meat consumption altogether as the slaughter of dogs signifies “killing of dogs without reasonable cause,” according to the ruling.
CARE says it helped build up the recent case by producing evidence against dog farms that were treating animals inhumanely.
Members of CARE held a press conference in front of the Seoul High Court where they announced they had filed similar legal complaints against dog merchants in other district courts, only to see their efforts fall short.
CARE pressed prosecutors to appeal against these rulings, stating that the other courts should follow the example of the Bucheon ruling.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
