TOWIE star Pete Wicks helped rescue 170 dogs from squalid conditions and certain death during his trip to South Korea where he campaigned to end canine farms.
The Essex boy, a well-known dog lover, flew to the Far East with Humane Society International to help save canines facing death in the depraved meat factories.
The animal processing farm in Namyangju is one of an estimated 17,000 dog farms in South Korea that breed more than 2.5 million canines a year, to be devoured at annual dog meat festivals.
TOWIE star Pete Wicks helped rescue 170 dogs from depraved conditions and near certain death during his trip to South Korea – and even brought 13 back with him
Dogs are routinely kept in filthy, unsanitary conditions, spending their lives in wire cages with no protection from the elements.
During his trip, where he investigated the farms and festivals that drive the market, Pete saw mastiffs, spaniels and greyhounds living miserable lives in cages.
The kind-hearted star has chosen to bring 13 of the pups home with him, including a beagle, a Korean jindo and a golden retriever.
The ‘Lucky 13’ are due to be adopted in the new year, after they have had thorough health checkups. The remaining 157 will go to the US and Canada, say HSI, to find their forever homes.
The Essex boy is a well-known dog lover and flew out to the Far East with Humane Society International to help save canines languishing on death row in squalid dog meat farms
‘Seeing for myself the horror of a dog meat farm has been one of the most emotional experiences of my life,’ Pete told The Sun.
‘Some of the dogs I met were terrified, and you can’t blame them because they’ve seen the cruel side of humanity, but I couldn’t believe how friendly most of them were despite everything they’ve been through.
‘The way they wagged their tails just broke my heart. Despite going through hell, they still wanted to be our friends. That was so humbling.’
Adding that the thought of his own beloved dog Eric spending even one day in the squalid conditions would break his heart.
A spokesperson for Humane Society International sang Pete’s praise: ‘Pete has been an absolutely fantastic ambassador for our beautiful dogs.
‘From the moment he stepped foot on the dog farm he’s been part of the team, mucking in with filling the cages with warm straw against the bitter cold, comforting dogs traumatised and frightened, and helping to load the dog crates on the transport as day by day the dogs leave the farm behind them.’
Inconsolable: In August last year, Pete bid farewell to his beloved best friend Ernest, a French bulldog. He paid tribute on Instagram, posting a picture of himself with the canine
Pete has urged politicians to take action and help Humane Society International stamp out the cruel trade forever.
In August last year, Pete bid farewell to his beloved best friend Ernest, a French bulldog. He paid tribute on Instagram, posting a picture of himself with the canine.
He wrote: ‘Words can’t describe how heartbroken I am to have suddenly lost one of the best things that has ever come into my life.
‘My boy Ernest wasn’t just a dog to me, he was my best friend. Things will never be the same again.
‘I’m thankful to him for teaching me things about myself and everything about unconditional love. He will always be in my heart. RIP Ernest #Wolfpack (sic).’
At the time he wrote: ‘Words can’t describe how heartbroken I am to have suddenly lost one of the best things that has ever come into my life.’
The animal processing farm in Namyangju is one of an estimated 17,000 dog farms in South Korea that breed more than 2.5 million canines a year, to be devoured at annual dog meat festivals