Euroviews. It’s time to rally around South Korea’s bold stance to end the dog meat industry

Every year, an estimated one million dogs in South Korea face a grim fate, raised and slaughtered for food. 

However, after decades of nationwide advocacy and public policy work, and with Korean animal advocates more vocal than ever before, the South Korean parliament just passed a historic ban on the breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs and dog meat for consumption. 

This monumental decision is not just a triumph for South Korea but also sets a precedent that could reverberate across nations where the dog and cat meat trades persist.

As South Korea embarks on this transformative journey, another corner of the world is witnessing progress for animals. 

In Europe, initiatives discouraging trophy hunting have gained traction in Belgium, France, and Italy. 

Now is the time for Europe to unite and rally public, private, and international support to advocate for a more compassionate world.

To comprehend the significance of South Korea’s decision, we must acknowledge the longstanding history of dog meat eating in the country. 

Although most Koreans are appalled at the idea of eating dogs and don’t consume their meat, for a small minority of the mainly older generations, it has remained a culinary habit, particularly during the hottest months of the year. 

But much like the conditions factory-farmed animals of all kinds experience, the conditions these animals endure on the intensive farms are harrowing. 

They’re confined in small, barren metal cages, exposed to the elements, and given just enough sustenance to survive. These horrible conditions spark rampant diseases and mental distress among dogs, with many exhibiting signs of sickness, depression, severe malnutrition, and abnormal behaviours.

The way these animals are slaughtered is