Seoul Categorizing Dogs as Livestock

[Guest guest]

The Korea Times 03-24-2008 17:42

 

Seoul Categorizing Dogs as Livestock

By Kim Tae-jong <e3dward, Staff Reporter

 

Seoul will propose to the central government that dogs should be

categorized as livestock in order to properly regulate the trade of

dog meat and strengthen sanitation inspections.

 

The proposal aims to solve the ironic situation where many Koreans

enjoy eating dog meat despite the absence of regulations on the sale

of dog meat amid ambiguous categorization of the animal, a city

official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said.

 

``The real problem is, we cannot regulate the sanitation process of

how dog meat is served due to the lack of regulations,'' the official

said. ``We will have a series of public hearings to discuss the issue

as it's a necessary step.''

 

Under the current law, dogs are categorized in the same group as

donkeys, rabbits, horses and deer, not as livestock such as beef and

chicken.

 

The categorization allows for the mass breeding and butchering of

dogs and serving of their meat at restaurants, but does not let the

authorities apply regulations for livestock to the trade of dog meat.

 

According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration, dog meat is also

categorized as a natural product because it is not included in

livestock. It means that unlike ordinary stock products such as beef

or chicken, dog meat does not undergo sanitation inspections.

 

For now, the authorities can only take a legal action against those

who butcher dogs in a brutal way or cause pollution to the

environment during the slaughter process, according to the Law on

Animal Protection and the Law on Pollution, respectively.

 

There were previous attempts to categorize dogs as livestock, but

they were scrapped due to strong criticism from animal rights groups

inside and outside of the country.

 

In 2001, 20 lawmakers proposed a bill to revise the Law on Stock

Product Process, aimed at setting up proper regulations on dog meat.

But the bill was scrapped without being properly dealt after meeting

criticism from animal rights groups and dog lovers.

 

---

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

As world citizens, we must NOT allow this to happen.

 

David

 

 

Merritt Clifton wrote:

 

> The Korea Times 03-24-2008 17:42

>

> Seoul Categorizing Dogs as Livestock

> By Kim Tae-jong <e3dward

> <e3dward%40koreatimes.co.kr>>, Staff Reporter

>

> Seoul will propose to the central government that dogs should be

> categorized as livestock in order to properly regulate the trade of

> dog meat and strengthen sanitation inspections.

>

> The proposal aims to solve the ironic situation where many Koreans

> enjoy eating dog meat despite the absence of regulations on the sale

> of dog meat amid ambiguous categorization of the animal, a city

> official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said.

>

> ``The real problem is, we cannot regulate the sanitation process of

> how dog meat is served due to the lack of regulations,'' the official

> said. ``We will have a series of public hearings to discuss the issue

> as it's a necessary step.''

>

> Under the current law, dogs are categorized in the same group as

> donkeys, rabbits, horses and deer, not as livestock such as beef and

> chicken.

>

> The categorization allows for the mass breeding and butchering of

> dogs and serving of their meat at restaurants, but does not let the

> authorities apply regulations for livestock to the trade of dog meat.

>

> According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration, dog meat is also

> categorized as a natural product because it is not included in

> livestock. It means that unlike ordinary stock products such as beef

> or chicken, dog meat does not undergo sanitation inspections.

>

> For now, the authorities can only take a legal action against those

> who butcher dogs in a brutal way or cause pollution to the

> environment during the slaughter process, according to the Law on

> Animal Protection and the Law on Pollution, respectively.

>

> There were previous attempts to categorize dogs as livestock, but

> they were scrapped due to strong criticism from animal rights groups

> inside and outside of the country.

>

> In 2001, 20 lawmakers proposed a bill to revise the Law on Stock

> Product Process, aimed at setting up proper regulations on dog meat.

> But the bill was scrapped without being properly dealt after meeting

> criticism from animal rights groups and dog lovers.

>

> ---

> --

> Merritt Clifton

> Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

> P.O. Box 960

> Clinton, WA 98236

>

> Telephone: 360-579-2505

> Fax: 360-579-2575

> E-mail: anmlpepl <anmlpepl%40whidbey.com>

> Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

>

> [ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

> original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

> founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

> decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

> We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

> for free sample, send address.]

>

>