Asia Sentinel

Seoul may soon designate dogs as livestock, which is what the animals already are at a popular dog-meat market

"Whap. Whap. Whap."

"That's not it. Let's try another," says the dog handler while lifting a long metal rod to hit another dog's back.

Navigating the rod expertly between the bars of a cage where a dozen dogs are herded together, it’s only the noise of the stick that breaks the rhythmic sound of the rain. "Whap. Whap. Whap."

"There is a certain sound when there is the right amount of meat," explains the handler, a man in his 40s, his half-closed eyes searching the cage. After intensely listening he finally nods his head in satisfaction and points to a medium-sized dog of light brown color. "That should do it," he says.

A noose attached to a stick is now with the handler, who aims the device inside the cage for the marked dog. The yelping dogs scatter to the corners of the cage, trying to avoid the fishing noose. "They know what's coming," he says. It takes some 10 minutes until the "light brown one" is caught. The man, pulling the struggling dog behind him, goes to a nearby spartan room. A sharp stick is hanging on the wall and there is a steel container in one corner. Next to it is a round, white tumbling box. While pressing the dog's head to the floor with the noose device, the other free hand reaches for the stick. It's electrically tipped. "Tens of thousands of volts in here," says the handler in a matter of fact tone. A slight touch to the head of the dog is all that is needed. Death comes almost instantly. In a few seconds the twitching body stops moving. Legs stop trembling.

Now the carcass is thrown into the steel container that contains hot boiling water which the handler says is kept at 70 degrees Celsius around the clock. It is used to soften the meat and make the process of separating the fur from the body easier. After some stirring, the body is thrown into the tumble dryer that removes the fur. The bare carcass is now carried over to a grill that is next to the cage.

There the handler uses a torch to burn away any remaining fur. Then comes the chopping.

"What about the internal organs?" the dog handler asks me. I don't take the organs but another customer waiting in line is not shy about asking for them, because for some dog meat lovers, they are considered a delicacy. The whole ordeal takes about half an hour. The price: 150,000 won ($153) at the Gyeongdong Market in central Seoul.

The current going rate for one dog starts at 120,000 won and can be as high as 200,000 won. Between stands of peanuts sellers and vegetables there are shops that advertise dog meat. Some shops have their cages filled with dogs. Customers who want a whole dog place their order and wait while the meat is often prepared nearby. Separate pieces are usually sold by weight, 5,000 won per geun (1.3 pounds/0.6 kilograms).

Sometimes cages look filthy and there are no official government stamps on the meat packages handed to customers, like more conventional meats. Now the Seoul city government is considering changing all that. In a bid to reduce the health risks of dog meat eaters the city wants to put an official livestock stamp on dogs, a move that has angered animal activists here who are circulating petitions to oppose the measures. They also are organizing protest rallies.

Nevertheless, Seoul officials hope the food safety measures that come with the livestock designation will improve hygiene and slaughtering conditions, eventually turning public opinion. "Last year, the Research Institute of Public Health and Environment conducted a study and it discovered germs," said Oh Jae-ho, an official with the city's food safety department. "That is why we think that putting dog meat into the flow of livestock monitoring is needed." He admits that doing so would make the current "abhorrent food" label even more obsolete. That label forbids restaurants in the Seoul area from selling dog meat for consumption.

The order was introduced in 1983 but the long-standing custom of eating dog meat has hardly faded. Oh estimates that 500 to 600 dog meat restaurants operate in Seoul alone. "We have been told that last year during summer 5 to 6 million dishes were sold," says the official, who concedes that city officials have long given up on cracking down on the restaurants. "We simply don't have the manpower to check every restaurant," says the official. "Since many people eat dog meat, we think it's better to bring the issue into the limelight for the sake of public health."

The law is also not a total ban on killing dogs for food. "We have a problem here because the current animal protection law is about torturing animals but it says nothing about killing dogs for the purpose of consumption, says Park Yong-chun, an official of the city's animal management department.

South Korea introduced its first Animal Protection Laws in 1991, but the law focuses on preventing cruelty rather than slaughtering for food. Oh Jae-ho suggests that the livestock designation would help make transparent the whole process of slaughtering dogs and would also protect pets. Another dog handler, speaking on condition of anonymity, admits that owners tired of their pets or people who find lost dogs often seek out handlers. "They are not the best meat so they are fed to other dogs. If they are big enough they are sold like the rest," says the handler. Essentially mongrel dogs are the main source for dog meat; they are not pets but are bred exclusively for consumption.

Nevertheless, on the day this reporter watched the dog slaughtering, well-known breeds such as Rottweilers could be seen in the cages as well. The new amendment prohibits people from selling or killing abandoned animals.

For civic groups the issue is not only that the inclusion of dogs as livestock could trigger a surge in dog meat consumption, and further breach the principle that says you shouldn't eat man's best friend.

"People are going to think that dog eating is O.K.," said Geum Seon-ran, president of the Korea Animal Protection Society. "Dogs are the closest animals to humans. An official government stamp is the wrong signal to give. Why do we even have animal protection laws?"

The dog eating tradition has caused South Korea international embarrassment before, especially when other countries raised the issue prior to the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Today, the environment for dogs has changed dramatically. According to the Korea Kennel Federation, an average of 25,000 to 30,000 thoroughbred dogs are registered annually. Nationwide 3.5 million to 5 million dogs are believed to be kept as companions. "If you start this process of separating dogs for consumption from pet dogs you will open a floodgate. We think that dogs should not be consumed at all," says Chung Tae-gyun, an official with the organization. "It's against global standards."

In line with the country's ancient folk calendar, however, dog meat lovers seek out gaejangguk (dog-meat soup) because it is believed to make up for energy lost during summer heat. Dog meat is also used in gaesoju, a mixed drink that includes dog meat and other herbal ingredients. The ingredients are put together and boiled for drinking in small quantities as medicine. Another commonly served dish is sliced dog meat. A whole dog usually costs around 300,000 won in restaurants.

Places such as the Gyeongseong Oriental Medicine Clinic located near the market ask 350,000 won for a month's worth of gaesoju; they charge half that if the customer provides the dog. Customers have to pay 20,000 won extra for slaughtering.

While Seoul is now opting to control rather than stop dog eating, ordinary citizens seem not to care how the dog is prepared, nor are there signs of a slowdown. “It won't make any difference at all,” says Son Jang-sik, who operates a dog meat shop at Gyeongdong Market. "Dog meat is now popular. It's not just a delicacy strictly for males. I have every sort of customer come here every day."

"My grandmother lives in the provinces and she sends dog meat to keep our family healthy," says Kim Yoo-jin, who works for a conglomerate in Seoul. "Her packages keep coming."

Though in the past it was largely considered a stamina food for males, Lee Nam-gyu, a taxi driver who occasionally eats dog meat with his friends, has other reasons to eat the dish. "Doctors say it's good for getting back in shape after a surgery or to heal broken bones," says Lee. "It's the tenderness, the meat feels like it's melting on my tongue. If you ask me, it's like eating beef or chicken."

Some dogs are also hanged or beaten with a stick, methods that supposedly make the meat softer, according to industry insiders, but science has yet to find its way into this area. "It's all a myth that has no scientific proof yet," says Kim Du-hwan, a professor of animal resource technology at Jinju National University. He adds that with beef and pork, the preferred method is to stun the pig or cow unconscious and then bleed it to death by cutting the throat. He explains that how relaxed an animal is before the slaughter determines meat quality. "If the muscles are contracted than you'll have meat that is tough," the professor says.

Aware of the potential fallout that the city's decision could cause, other government agencies here are trying to keep their distance.

"It's the sole idea of the city. We have not been consulted at all," says Lee Young-chul, an official with the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. "I don't think we are planning to even consider this option."

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written by Olga , November 20, 2009

First of all, many years,years ago Korea had no choice but to eat dogs to survive. Hello, it is 2009 alot has changed. Korea is such a hypocritical country, when they had The Olympics years ago they closed down all the dog eating restaurants due to bad media but they re-opened them later on. What kind of people are you? Not all Koreans are heartless and cold but for those who are they should be prosecuted. I know in The States we slaughter cows, pigs, chickens, etc but we don't torture them before they are killed. IF we do, and you are caught ,it is a fine and possibly imprisonment. At less, we as Americans try to fight animal cruelty but Korea has no morals or respect for life. How about, if I hung you by the neck and beat you like they do to these poor animals?
in addition, for the men in Korea who thinks that dogmeat isa sexual stamina..... have u every heard of Viagra??? Keep up with Technology and stop living in the Dark Age

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written by save the dogs! , September 23, 2009

When in korea these people are sick and less than human they would probaly eat you if you were dead and in front of them just like to point out that dogs are highy intelligent animals who help us all and as Barbarians pointed out and do all kinds of things for us they are part of the family you koreans need some sort of natural disaster to wipe you all out! speaking of which everytime you need help you ask America and our rescue dogs to help you! you are ugly, disgusting, worthless,and don't deserve to live you eat cats and dogs what's next aborted fetus's and dead baby's going to be a delicacy too you sick cruel animal murdering f**ks!

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Filth
written by Kevin Hutchison , July 03, 2009

These are savage subhuman scum. There are too many of them, and they need killing instead of dogs. Dogs are good, these cruel bastards are NO good, and need terminated. I would gladly do it if you gave me a machine gun. One dog's life is more important than one hundred of these backward lot. It's enough to turn any decent person into a racist - really!!

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Culture B.S.
written by JM , June 05, 2009

Child abuse could be called culturally acceptable, along with honor killings, and bride burning in some parts of the world. You knuckleheads fine with those charming cultural curiosities as well?

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written by NO ONE , May 12, 2009

I WISH IN KOREA AND CHINA HAVE A 8.5 EARTHQUAKE SO THAT ALL KOREAN AND CHINESS WILL BE DEAD

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All korean that eat DOG are going to HELL
written by batman , April 28, 2009

All that korean that EAT dog are s**t......... I wish you all die i CONDEMN you all.

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korean s**t
written by batman , April 28, 2009

ass hol korean that eat DOG i wish you all die soon the better

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You stupid people in korea and japan!!
written by Personal! :p , March 25, 2009

how could all of you people..including you YUMMY!!... are all sickos!!.... i swear all of you people(yummy) have MAJOR PROBLEMS!!...WHEN ARE ALL OF YOU(YUMMY) GONNA GET A LIFE?!..ME AND ALL OFMY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL STOP ANIMAL ABUSE AND CRUELTY TO ANIMALS!!..

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STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!!!... NOW!!
written by Personal! :p , March 25, 2009

STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!!...HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF ANIMALS STARTED BEATING YOU AND KILLING YOU!!..NOT VERY NICE IS IT?!..I THINK..NOT!!!!

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dog meat is on sale here
written by Ploceus , January 11, 2009

Yummy:

Look at this site. They sell dog meat.
http://www.puppybeef.com/

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yummy
written by Yummy , January 06, 2009

I wonder if there are any restaurants in the States where this traditional dish can be tried?

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written by Yummy , January 06, 2009

I wonder if there are any restaurants in the States where this traditional dish can be tried?

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Dogs are not better off in KOREA
written by Kia jacobsen , November 16, 2008

Vincent MacIsaac are you crazy? Compassionate? you have obvious not done any research. Koreans believe that if the prolong the suffering of a dog before its death then its meat will be more flavored and potent. So they beat the dog, hang the dog and then electrocute it several times until it is dead. It is a SICK process.
Look here: http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/korea/index.html
and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbCIwdiXwHE

I cannot fathom how any being with any bit of compassion can eat a dog, or most animals for that matter. Especially being ignorant enough to state that animals are better off being killed for consumption.

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written by nita , November 10, 2008

Bastards! Cruel cruel people.

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Cowards.
written by Tessa Lee , September 09, 2008

The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Gandhi

Real men stand up and protect those unable to speak out and protect themselves. Any coward can turn a blind eye.

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Korea eating dog
written by Eugene Shin , May 14, 2008

Koreans usually in their 40s or 60s would eat dog since they ate it when Korea was a poor nation, After the korean war and WW2 Korea was the poorest nation in which is like africa, Cow meat was expensive and cows were used for pulling heavy things but dog was cheap and taste delicious. People say its better than beef but not like chicken. The new korean generation seems to find dog as friends not food mostly in their 30s or 20s, Korean americans find dog not food either, so they support the animal rights activists; Also Korea has small space for dogs, korean pet owners can no longer have their dog living in their apartments. I'm korean and my family doesn't eat dog since we don't like to eat dog for my parents moved to america.

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Re: Senem post
written by Barbarians , May 12, 2008

It has been demonstrated that dogs have all the emotions that people do including happiness, sadness, fear, etc.

Cows DO NOT!

You will be considered correctly labeled: Barbaric until you come to your senses and evaluate your actions.

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written by Tara , April 28, 2008

Please know that others share my sentiment in that we need to protect ALL animals, livestock, dogs, cats... ALL of them. People I know are beginning to associate Asian coutries with animal cruelty. Please help change this!!

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Choices... Choices
written by Kunta-Kinte' , April 20, 2008

I had dog soup my 3rd day in S. Korea. Quite delicious. I worked for a Korean Co. and my every move was reported back to the "office." I did not have it again.
Koreans will eat damn near anything. I tried "everything," some just once... like insects, taste is not offensive but the thought of a "bug" popping in your mouth, is just not pleasant. sashimi can be nasty, only fresh will do. some places near tauguae, have raw beef- i skipped that, i have consumed quite a bit of beef in my life - if you grew up in america, you are so lucky to be able to eat so many different foods. going to other places and eating with the locals is the greatest.

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written by Tyger , April 20, 2008

Yo Todd, the article is about Korea not China, either you can't read or is it all the same to you? Go back under the rock from which you crawled from.

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Barbaric!
written by Todd , April 19, 2008

Dogs display and respond to emotions, they are the closest creature to a small child you will get! This is digusting - makes me sick to think most of my electronics were made in that country or China.

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written by Tyger , April 18, 2008

Bad Jon, Bad Bad Jon, so racist...for shame.

Mummy and Daddy should have taught you better. Back to the little hole with you.

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written by Tyger , April 18, 2008

Dog meat...yum. People have dogs as pets, but there are also dogs that were raised specifically for sustenance and never bonded with humans.

In parts of Africa, locusts destroy crops, so people with nothing else to eat decides to eat the locusts, deep fried with chili and very nice and crunchy it is too, sorta like popcorn.

A deep thought:
Ironically, both anthropomorphism and anthropodenial are part and parcel of humans' contrarian nature and only serves to deny the true nature of the beast so that as usual we see what we want to see in an animal and other people for that matter. Not healthy for both humans, the animals or conservation and can potentially come back to bite everybody's proverbial rear.

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Alternative Delicacies to meat
written by Bushwhacker , April 18, 2008

Yeah I supports the eating of alternative delicacies like English earthworm pies, roast insects like spiders, locusts, scorpion etc. They must taste quite delicious otherwise why people like to snack on them.

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dogs!
written by Mike Mohane , April 17, 2008

Hey why not just eat everything that moves...apes, giraffes, parrots, bears and humans too. Bloody barbarians! We eat to live and not live to eat. I believe "what goes around comes around". Go back to your cave you primitive bunch of people.

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Don\'t consume too much meat
written by Bushwhacker , April 17, 2008

If human don't obey, you mist start worrying about God's wrath. We have seen Sars, bird flus, Mad Cow disease, Nipah virus on pigs & horses.

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Dog meat is delicious
written by Vincent MacIsaac , April 17, 2008

I only tried it once but it is soft and flvourful. A bit like venison but easier to chew. Goes good with soju too. Having had dogs as pets when I was a kid made me feel guilty so I didn't try it again. But what's the big deal? If I'd been raised in Korea I'd be eating it all the time. The one social benefit is that there are no stray dogs wandering the streets of seoul, so less cruelty to dogs in the long run. Compared to Bangkok or Taipei, where there are emaciated, filthy dogs limping around the streets, Seoul is quite compassionate in its treatment of dogs.

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written by AN , April 17, 2008

Culte, culture, culture...such an easy wall to hide behind. Footbinding and trade in Children were also aspects of Chinese culture at one time...but that doesn't make them excusable.

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Human compassion
written by Bushwhacker , April 17, 2008

Talk of Human compassion - American and European consumed more meat totally and per capital than the Chinese or Korean. If you do not wish to follow Buddhists tenet all lifes is sacred, at least you should refrain from labelling others. Food is afterall a cultural thing - Korean like to eat dog kimchi as Japanese like their whale sushi.

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written by Jon Stockward , April 17, 2008

I feel that China is trying to get away with poisoning our pets and our children in other countries. There are so many recalled products from the country, that it's just outright sickening. When will the world realize that China does everything ONLY for the greed of money. They have NO compassion for animals nor humans. Animals are brutally slaughtered in the most vicious, agonizing way possible...especially dogs, cats, raccoons, ducks and rabbits. The small animals get slammed to the ground

see youtube "cat and dog fur trade" BAD CHINKS!!

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Go Veg!
written by Candi , April 16, 2008

I dumped this issue of loving animals vs. eating them over 20 years ago when I went vegetarian. That's the way to go!

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written by Aliron , April 16, 2008

Did that rescue scenario happen or are you speaking hypothetically?

Pigs can do some of the things you list, and people consume horse meat. Are they barbarians because those animals can potentially serve another purpose besides sustenance?

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written by AN , April 16, 2008

You can't compare dogs with worm pies, spiders or pigs. There's no knowing how many human lives rescue dogs have saved over the years. They have been loyal friends to man for centuries. How ironic it would be to see an earthquake hit Seoul and to watch rescue dogs flown in from all over the world pulling survivors from the rubble. Some things just can't be so easily written off as 'culture'.

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e
written by jiji , April 15, 2008

anybody that eats meat is a sick barbarian...
i eat meat...so i'm not going to over-judge...

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Earthworm Pies in England?
written by Pffill , April 15, 2008

Never seen them in nearly sixty years. I think someone's been pulling your chain.

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When In Korea...
written by Senem , April 15, 2008

Cows are sacred in India, does that make us who eat steak barbarians? People in America have pigs as pets, does that make those who eat bacon barbarians? In Cambodia, fried spiders are a delicacy. In England people eat earthworm pies. Koreans have been eating dog for a long time now. It's in their culture, it doesn't make them any more or less barbaric than you or I. If you chose not to eat dog, thats fine, but don't judge other cultures for what they do or eat.

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Barbarians
written by AN , April 15, 2008

Dogs rescue us, find our missing children, lead our blind, find hidden explosives, and provide unconditional companionship for life. Any human that eats them is simply a sick barbarian.

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