Thousands of dogs may have died today. Perhaps they were electrocuted, or they might have met their end the traditional way, by hanging. They would have ended up as dog meat, which people throughout Korea still eat. Restaurants are everywhere for that purpose, even though eating dog meat is supposed to be illegal.

But don't get the wrong impression. Most Koreans would rather that this disgraceful industry did not exist. So, to those foreigners who feel hate towards Korea for the dog-meat trade, please realize that many Koreans are embarrassed about it. They certainly do not want dog eating to be perceived as part of their national identity.

Observers might believe that cleaning up the industry is what is needed, and that legalization is the answer for that. And they might believe that legalizing dog meat will minimize the suffering that dogs go through. Well, since when has real life been that simple?

Legalization will only expand the industry, increase the suffering involved, give official endorsement to brutality, and pass on the same problems and the shame to the next generation of Koreans.

Don't believe the lie that only certain types of dogs are bred for eating. Any dog can end up as dog meat. The yellow dogs, stupidly regarded by some Koreans as "junk dogs," are supposed to be the dog for eating. But they are no different from any other dog, anyway. There is no such thing as a special dog that is adapted to living its entire life in a cage, that does not suffer while being deprived of basic needs, and that is conditioned for brutal slaughtering.

Don't let the propaganda suck you in. The misinformation spread around about the dog meat industry in Korea is designed to placate those people who don't like to think very deeply about issues. It gives them the comfort of vague excuses and the illusion that some control is in place. Believing in propaganda to avoid thinking is for the weak minded.

KARA focuses a lot of energy on fighting against the dog-meat industry. We are not just campaigning for the poor dogs. The dog meat issue is a major flash-point for animal rights issues in general in Korea, so a victory against the dog-meat industry may bring about a victory for the welfare and rights of other animals in Korea.

Because of the importance of the dog meat issue in Korea we have devoted a whole menu section to it. Please look under Dog Meat Issue in the main menu for all dog-meat related material.