Posted on 06/30/2002 5:51:46 AM PDT by csvset
Dog meat hot among Korea and China's trendy young
Animal-rights activists say it is a food fad fuelled in part by a desire to rebel against Western criticism
By Ng Hui Hui
CANINE cuisine is becoming a fad among the young in South Korea and China, much to the dismay of animal-rights activists.
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| The cruelty in the handling of dogs during their slaughter has raised the ire of animal-rights activists. Strung by their necks, the dogs are beaten to death. |
Restaurant owners and dog-meat watchers confirm that youngsters are now taking dog meat as part of their regular diet - much like beef or chicken - as food joints dish out trendy new recipes to whet appetites.
According to one estimate, 92 per cent of men and 68 per cent of women above 20 in South Korea have tasted dog meat recently.
In China, dog breeders are saying that in a few years, there will be as many Saint Bernard dogs on the mainland as cows and sheep.(?)
Although past data on dog-meat consumption is not available, those concerned say the numbers would have been low earlier - since dog meat was considered a type of tonic for the older generation, eaten to increase libido and treat illnesses.
Catering to the fad, on sale now are hotdogs with real dog meat, dog cookies and sandwiches and even dog noodles as restaurants come up with fast-food variations.
Traditional recipes such as kimchi, a spicy fermented vegetable dish, are being given a make- over and are now prepared with dog meat extracts.
Dog meat chefs hope to add more varieties soon.
South Korean nutritionist Ahn Young Geun, who wrote a book titled Koreans and Dogmeat, has come up with more than 350 new recipes.
The professor, who is often referred to as Dr Dogmeat, believes dog-meat consumption should be increased because it offers three times more calcium than other types of meat.
Besides the nutritional value, nationalistic pride seems to be playing a part, said Ms Kyenan Kum, founder of the animal-rights group International Aid for Korean Animals.
About 2.6 million dogs are killed yearly for food in South Korea, Mr Louis Ng, president of Singapore-based Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), told The Sunday Times.
This is a 30 per cent increase over the 1993 figures.
'Eating dog meat is a show of defiance, especially among rebellious young people. They feel that the West has no right to criticise their culture,' he said.
Reflecting this sentiment, a group of students from Seoul University set up a website recently to promote the virtues of dog meat and secured 11,000 signatures in support of its campaign.
But it is the cruelty in the handling of dogs - man's best friend in the West - that is raising hackles among animal-rights activists.
Dogs are usually strung up by their necks and beaten repeatedly to increase the flow of adrenaline in their flesh. Consumers believe the more pain the animals suffer, the more tender the meat becomes.
The dogs would struggle, howl, urinate and bleed till they become unconscious. Finally, they are chopped into pieces. All these are done in front of other dogs awaiting the same fate.
Now, for the first time, an Asian grouping called Asia Link - made up of 14 animal welfare societies from 12 nations - has decided to join the protest and has sent a letter to the South Korean government urging a ban on dog meat.
Said Mr Ng of Acres, an Asia Link member: 'The Koreans say eating dog meat is part of their culture, but one cannot use culture to justify violence.'
Mounting criticisms made South Korea and China ban the trade for short periods in 1988 and 1999 respectively. But that has not kept South Koreans and Chinese from hankering for their dog burgers and dog noodles.
KOREAN CUISINE: Dog dishes
New dishes:
That's not what you said when you posted to Cultural Jihad. You implied that I was trying to cause trouble in an act of desperation due to my "lack of an argument". Let me refresh your memory...
I have never even talked to you on the forum before Cultural Jihad, so I have no idea what this person is trying to insinuate. You see, these kind of ridiculous assumptions are what happens when someone has not much going for them in the way of a legitimate and viable argument.
Gee, I wonder who's the one that is desperate?
Of course, you get your information from sources like "Korea, the Sadistic Country".
Yeah, NOW you tell us.
NOW I know I over-estimated my fellow man.
Now you're being silly.
Pork and chicken are cheap--less than half the cost per wieght--compared to dog.
Give it up. You've waded into water over your head. Time to head back to the kiddie pool.
You obviously don't know anything about me.
You drive the point home better than I.
Sorry again, I didn't mean to insult you. You know, at one time I considered myself to be a "libertarian". But after seeing their antics here on FR, well, let's just say I don't know what would actually be worse, a full blown liberal or a libertarian...
Go back and find the host of links I've provided in some of my earlier posts. If you'd like, I'll post more of them. I find it interesting that sites that DID have upto date images and videos have been pulled. Perhaps too much squawking from the Red Chinese?
NOW I know I over-estimated my fellow man.
From your comments and those of your friend FJC, I can see why you would feel that way. I feel the same. Not really that surprised though, as I did see some other misguided soul on another thread advocate forced child labor in China, saying that it was good for the US economy.
Posted: November 15, 2000 10:00 PM
(WSVN) In America --- dogs are companions --- pets. . . .
In Korea dogs they are a delicacy. . . tortured...and eaten. . . .
Kyenan Kum, International Aid for Korean Animals
"Everything is just incredibly cruel. . . and I cannot help to cry...and every time I go over I cry and I have nightmares."
Kyenan Kum has just returned from Korea---what she has seen---what this videotape shows---is horrifying. . .
Millions of cats and dogs are rounded up. . . . . .
Many of the animals are pets. . . . that are stolen from yards and sold in markets...
but the cramped cages are the least troubling aspect of this outrage. . . . . . . . . . . what the animals face is what will stun you...
Patrick Fraser, Investigative Reporter
"The Koreans believe that dog meat is an aphrodisiac---but to make the meat as potent as possible...they believe the animal must have an adreniline rush before it is slaughtered...to get the adreniline pumping...they want the dog to be terrified...and so they torture them."
Many dogs are hung from trees --kicked and beaten...sometimes with rocks...sometimes with poles...
Witness says
"That dog is still suffering, that dog is still alive."
This video was shot by a tourist...when the dog beater saw him...he lowered the animal to the ground...and petted him...the dog wagged his tail...still whimpering in pain...but the dog ended up here..
In another torture to create the adrenilin rush...they boil the animals alive... look at the dogs trying to escape...Kyenan has witnessed it...
Kyenan Kum
"It's not completely killed most time ....so its sometimes it alive. and then they start blow-torching to remove fur and the brown skin...and sometimes it alive."
The animals are then sold -------at open air markets---rows and rows of butchered dogs. . .promoted as an aphrodisiac in Korea. . . they will bring 300 dollars a piece. . . . . . . .and the myth that the animals make men more virile has led to the spread of the torture of dogs in other asian countries.
Susan Ashley activist
"There's just big money to made in this. it's a billion dollar a year industry"
Susan Ashley is fighting from South Florida to stop the torture of the animals in Korea ...she says she has also discovered that Korean newspapers in the us are now running ads for dog meat.
Susan Ashley activist
"There's somebody we found out in Maryland who is selling dogs."
We found out through the korean papers, they're selling them for about 800-dollars per dog here"
In North and South Korea the governments have outlawed the torture of the animals..but since it is popular...the law is obviously not enforced...to get that done opponents of the torture want the us government to help.
And so we took the tape to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who has three dogs of her own, to see if she thinks the us should try to help..needless to say the tape stunned her.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Congresswoman
"Oh my gosh. . . oh my gosh."
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Congresswoman
"If I hadn't seen it i would just say that does not happen."
Ros-Lehtinen says the torture must be stopped.
"Somebody could say well we eat meat here and we eat animals but we don't torture them to death and they're not domestic pets."
Ros-Lehtinen says people should ask their Congressman to help pressure Korea.
Ashley wants americans to boycott products made in Korea. . .and she wants people to urge companies sponsoring the world cup in South Korea in 2002--to withdraw their money.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Congresswoman
"We're asking these sponsors to please please stand up to the plate and step out of the sponsorship unless Korea upholds it's laws against animal cruelty."
It's hoped since the korean governments wont bend to humanatarian pressure--they will listen when the us dollars are pulled back.
and it has to be stopped quickly. . . Kum says.
Kyenan Kum
"This is inhumane totally inhumane and totally unnecessary."
Patrick Fraser Investigative Reporter
Totally unnecessary and in the year 2,000 certainly unbelievable.
Patrick Fraser Seven News.
If you want to know how to help the animals by boycotting products or pressuring the Korean government just log on to our website at http://www.wsvn.com
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