Hundreds of dogs rescued from meat and puppy farm in South Korea

Hundreds of dogs and puppies have been rescued from a meat farm in South Korea by an animal rights charity.

The squalid farm in Hongseong in western South Korea, had been breeding dogs both for meat and to be sold as pets for eight years, keeping tiny puppies and adult dogs in cramped, rusting cages.

Nearly 200 Chihuahuas, corgis, huskies, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, and French bulldogs have today been removed by Humane Society International (HSI) activists.

Rescued: Dogs look out from a cage at a dog farm during a rescue event, involving the closure of the farm organised by the Humane Society International (HSI), in Hongseong

Mission: A HSI team member carries a corgi from a cage to a crate so it can be taken away from the squalid meat and puppy farm

Mission: A HSI team member carries a corgi from a cage to a crate so it can be taken away from the squalid meat and puppy farm

HSI activists had been able to move some of the cages indoors, and put straw on the floor, but after negotiations with the farmer, they were finally able to rescue the dogs this week

HSI activists had been able to move some of the cages indoors, and put straw on the floor, but after negotiations with the farmer, they were finally able to rescue the dogs this week

Cruelty: This farm had been operating as a combined dog meat and puppy mill business with almost 200 dogs and puppies on site

Cruelty: This farm had been operating as a combined dog meat and puppy mill business with almost 200 dogs and puppies on site

Newborn puppies were found living in cages with exposed wire floors with only heat lamps and disused tyres for insulation, while ‘meat dogs’ were kept outside in the freezing cold waiting to be sold to local restaurants.

Many of the dogs had untreated injuries or deformities to their paws and legs as a result of living in the small cages with no proper flooring. 

Others were emaciated with matted fur, or had been left without water in their bowls. 

As the farm functioned both to breed meat dogs and as a puppy mill, any ‘pet dogs’ which could not be sold would end up in the slaughterhouse. 

‘The lines between puppy mills and dog meat farms are routinely blurred throughout South Korea, and with our latest dog farm closure we are exposing the shocking reality of that,’ Nara Kim of HSI South Korea said.

Newborn puppies were found living in cramped rusty cages with exposed wire floors with only heat lamps and disused tyres for insulation

Newborn puppies were found living in cramped rusty cages with exposed wire floors with only heat lamps and disused tyres for insulation

Taken away: These dogs would have been bred to be sold as pets rather than for meat, however, if they had not sold they would been slaughtered for local restaurants

Taken away: These dogs would have been bred to be sold as pets rather than for meat, however, if they had not sold they would been slaughtered for local restaurants

HSI provides a solution to help dog meat farmers give up their business as a growing number of South Koreans oppose the cruelty of the dog meat industry

HSI provides a solution to help dog meat farmers give up their business as a growing number of South Koreans oppose the cruelty of the dog meat industry

Nearly 200 chihuahuas, corgis, huskies, jindos, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, pomeranians, shih tzus, and French bulldogs could today be rescued

Nearly 200 chihuahuas, corgis, huskies, jindos, Yorkshire terriers, poodles, pomeranians, shih tzus, and French bulldogs could today be rescued

Activists from HSI had visited the farm several times in recent weeks and were over the moon to finally be able to save the animals

Activists from HSI had visited the farm several times in recent weeks and were over the moon to finally be able to save the animals

‘These dogs are suffering at the hands of two abusive industries, their ultimate fate depending on whether they will sell for more money as a pet or for meat. 

‘They all start life in this depressing, squalid place, with the lucky few ending up being a loved companion whilst their cage mates are served at a restaurant, or enter a chain of auctions where they are sold on to the next farmer to produce litter after litter of puppies.’

Activists from HSI had visited the farm several times in recent weeks, and had been able to move some of the cages indoors, and put straw on the floor.

Finally, after negotiations with the farmer which includes a 20-year contract which ensures he will stay out of the dog meat trade, HSI were finally able to rescue the dogs this week.

The owner, Lee Sang-gu, had been eager to close the farm as the dog meat trade has become increasingly unprofitable.

Dog meat consumption is declining rapidly in South Korea, particularly among younger generations.

Farmer no more: South Korean dog meat farmer Lee Sang-gu gives water to his dogs

Farmer no more: South Korean dog meat farmer Lee Sang-gu gives water to his dogs

Members of the Humane Society International (HSI) carry dogs in crates for transport at a dog farm during a rescue event, involving the closure of the farm organised by the HSI

Members of the Humane Society International (HSI) carry dogs in crates for transport at a dog farm during a rescue event, involving the closure of the farm organised by the HSI

New future: HSI have signed a 20-year contract with the owner of the farm to keep him out of the dog meat business

New future: HSI have signed a 20-year contract with the owner of the farm to keep him out of the dog meat business

A growing number of South Koreans oppose the dog meat industry and no longer eat dog

A growing number of South Koreans oppose the dog meat industry and no longer eat dog

Mr Lee takes a final look at some of his dogs before they are being taken away from the farm 

Mr Lee takes a final look at some of his dogs before they are being taken away from the farm 

Mr Lee says he felt ashamed to be a dog farmer, and that his own family had strongly opposed his profession. 

‘From the very beginning, my entire family has been against my dog farming,’ he said.

‘All my daughters and my wife want me to close it, and they have never wanted to visit the farm. 

‘I feel very ashamed to be a dog meat farmer and a puppy mill farmer so I barely tell anyone what I’m doing.’

The 200 dogs rescued in Hongseong will now be flown to the United States and Canada where they will be put up for adoption by HSI. 

Mr Lee now hopes to become a security guard, using the financing provided by HSI in exchange for staying out of the dog meat business to take a computer literacy training course.  

To help support the work of HSI in South Korea and elsewhere, click here.   

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