Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon (right) transporting a rescued puppy (Image courtesy of Gyeonggi Province)
SUWON, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) —Gyeonggi Province, in collaboration with animal protection organizations, successfully rescued over 1,400 dogs from a dog breeding farm located in Hwaseong City.
These rescued dogs have now been safely transferred to Gyeonggi Pet Maru, a dedicated center for pet protection and welfare.
The alarm was first raised by the animal rescue organization WE.A.C.T on September 1, as they reported illegal activities taking place at a dog breeding farm in Paltan-myeon, Hwaseong-si, through their Instagram account.
Despite the breeding center holding a legal license, disturbing allegations of unlawful and inhumane practices came to light. These included procedures like opening the stomachs of pregnant dogs solely to extract puppies, freezing carcasses, and the slaughter and burial of dogs with no perceived market value.
In response to this urgent situation, Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon promptly issued an emergency order.
Officials from the Gyeonggi-do Special Judicial Police Unit and the Livestock and Animal Welfare Bureau were dispatched to the location to verify these violations and prioritize the well-being of the surviving dogs.
Following their rescue, the 1,410 dogs from the breeding center were safely transported to Gyeonggi Pet Maru, a multifaceted pet facility and cultural space within the province, designed for their protection and care.
Horrific conditions at the dog breeding center in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. Captured on Instagram by animal rescue organization WE.A.C.T, which initially brought attention to the severity of this issue.
Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed his commitment to the cause, stating on Facebook on Saturday, “Dogs rescued from this horrifying situation are being relocated to Gyeonggi Pet Maru, even though the center is not officially open yet. We stand prepared to provide these precious lives with all the necessary resources.”
The breeding facility’s egregious actions were reported to the local government, which found them in violation of animal protection laws, particularly regarding cruelty.
Over 1,000 dogs were discovered cramped in severely confined spaces, and nearly 100 deceased dogs were found stored in the freezer, wrapped in newspaper.
As part of the province’s response, plans are underway to urge the owner of the breeding center to release ownership of the dogs and face administrative actions, including a potential suspension of operations.
Governor Kim emphasized the importance of elevating animal welfare standards in Korea, stating, “We must elevate the standards of animal welfare to a higher level, and Gyeonggi Province is committed to leading the way as a catalyst for change.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
