The government of South Korea will allocate $75 million so that restaurateurs stop selling dog meat
South Korea plans to end the traditional but controversial consumption of dog meat by 2027. The government will allocate about 100 billion won ($75 million) to support farmers and restaurant owners who decide to stop their dog meat activities or change their business direction. About this informs Reuters.
Through the program, each farmer can receive up to $452 per dog donated to the shelter to help ensure the safe relocation of the animals. It is planned that over the next three years, the government will try to find homes for more than 500,000 dogs, avoiding euthanasia or inhumane treatment.
South Korea’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Park Bom-soo assured that the country’s authorities will make every effort to ensure humane treatment of all animals: “We do not intend to euthanize or kill dogs. Our task is to find them new homes and safe conditions”.
Although eating dog meat is a long-standing tradition in South Korea, it is gradually becoming less popular. The public attitude towards dogs is changing – more and more people perceive them as pets. Currently, there are more than 1,500 dog breeding farms and about 200 slaughterhouses operating in the country, and almost 2,300 restaurants continue to offer dog meat on their menus.
The change in public attitude towards this practice is also reflected in the personal example of the leaders of the state: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has 11 pets, including six dogs and five cats, which emphasizes his commitment to the protection of animal rights and support of new social norms.
