FW: (KR) ITS LEGAL! Barbecued dogmeat in Korea

[Guest guest]

R Eisenberg

Tuesday, October 07, 2008 1:28 PM

ITS LEGAL! Barbecued dogmeat in Korea

 

 

On September 28, 2008 the law to regulate dog farms under

the Livestock Act began implementation in Korea . This is just the first

step towards the complete legalization of dog meat. Because of this law

there will be an increase in the number of dogs slaughtered for this cruel

custom. Dog meat for the barbecue may soon be available in all supermarkets

throughout South Korea.

 

Those of us who care profoundly for the life of a dog cannot

tolerate this terrible abuse.

 

I have created a distribution which is strong and condemning

of this latest development in Korea . Because my language is strong I sent

it for review to a number of individuals who work in the area of dog abuse

in much of east Asia. One person who reviewed it said it was 'hard hitting

and truthful'. I also showed it to a young man who is currently studying at

Harvard Law School. In the past he has tried to put a positive spin on the

information I give him. This time all he could say was 'I had no idea it was

so bad'. He felt that in view of the terrible cruelty the strong comments

were appropriate. Another friend whom I respect for his peaceful and

non-violent way of life said that the most important thing we could do to

end this tragedy is to continue to inform people of the situation.

 

I hope you will have the courage to post this distribution:

 

" " If you have ever shared your life with a dog you will

understand the following eulogy:

 

 

A Memorial to Boatswain

by Lord Byron

Newstead Abbey, November 30, 1808.

________________________________

 

 

 

Near this spot

Are deposited the Remains of one

Who possessed Beauty without Vanity,

Strength without Insolence,

Courage without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery

If inscribed over human ashes,

Is but a just tribute to the Memory of

BOATSWAIN, a DOG

Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803,

And died at Newstead, Nov 18th, 1808.

 

 

 

The virtues of an animal, as described by Lord Byron, that

is beloved throughout the world for his decency and willingness to help and

cooperate with humans means nothing in Korea . The dog is an animal that

would willingly risk his life to save a human, yet in Korea this

good-natured, loyal and companionable being is considered as nothing more

than a bowl of stew with alleged medicinal properties, in a culture that

does not even grasp the spiritual poverty of this betrayal of man's best

friend.

 

 

Until now dog meat consumption in Korea has been an

underground affair, but in September 2008 a law will go into effect which

classifies dogs as livestock along with all the accompanying abuses of this

industry:

 

 

 

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/08/117_29358.html

 

 

Korean superstition holds that if a dog is agitated ( i.e.

viciously abused) prior to slaughter the potency and flavor of the meat is

enhanced. Even if this were not the case the killing of an animal, who is a

functioning member of human society, to be used as a snake-oil tonic for the

feeble and infirm, exhibits a lack of compassion and empathy so profound

that it borders on depravity.

 

 

If one probes further, it becomes apparent that this is not

the only animal abuse in Korea which is based on superstition and ignorance.

Beneath the surface of Korea 's seemingly modern and technologically

advanced facade lies a primitive, exploitive and cruel view of animals which

allows for their sacrifice in shamanistic rituals intended to bring good

fortune to those paying for the killing. A highly evolved spiritual view

appreciates that the lives of all living beings is sacred and should be

respected. Clearly this message has been perverted in Korea into bartering

the life of an animal to obtain good fortune. Please refer to the following

for additional information:

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/07/world/asia/07korea.html

 

 

South Korea has one of the fastest growing economies in the

world, and one would have hoped that with increased wealth there would also

be an increase in consciousness. This does not seem to be the case, as it

seems increased wealth has resulted in increased abuse of animals in the

name of superstition, greed and suppressed rage taken out on animals.

 

 

The following is a depiction of a 'performance art' piece

involving the evisceration of a piglet carried out for an audience that

cheered wildly as the the poor creature screamed in excruciating pain, The

brutalization of those attempting to protest this sadistic display is

further evidence of a deep-seeded rage that attempts to preserve and

maintain such violence to living beings. The following is an action alert

issued by In Defense of Animals:

 

" S. Korean Political Protesters Torture and Kill Pig as

" Performance " ...

 

WARNING: The following contains graphic descriptions of

animal

 

mutilation which some readers may find objectionable and

revolting.

 

Our members know that IDA has long led the fight against the

 

 

brutal practice of eating dog and cat meat in South Korea.

 

Unfortunately, this is just one of the abuses taking

place in a country that has lax laws regulating the

treatment of animals slaughtered for food.

Recently, this lack of protection left one young

piglet the helpless victim of a revolting public

spectacle, as she was bound, stabbed, and gutted while

fully conscious for symbolic purposes at a political

protest.

 

Hundreds of demonstrators organized by the Icheon City

Committee assembled in front of city hall in

opposition to a plan by the Ministry of National

Defense to build military bases in the area. To

represent the protesters' outrage, self-styled

" performance artists " tied a two-month-old piglet by

all four limbs and stretched her out in the air on a

stage. Men wielding knives then ritualistically sliced

the pig's skin and eviscerated her as she screamed and

struggled in agony. National and local officials

attending the event cheered and applauded,

some waving Korean flags. By the end, men pulled like

a tug-of-war on the ropes tied to pig's limbs, tearing

her body to shreds.

 

Several days after the protest, two animal protection

organizations -- Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth

(CARE) and Korean Association for Animal Protection

(KAAP) -- held mourning rites for the pig. At the

second vigil, they were attacked by members of the

Icheon City Committee, who hurled insults at mourners

over loudspeakers and destroyed the shrines

they had constructed out of flowers, hanging banners,

and framed photos of the sacrificed pig. One female

animal advocate was severely beaten.... "

 

 

Psychological studies have established a link between

violence to animals and human on human violence. Therefore it comes as no

surprise then, that in a society which displays such a predilection for

violence to animals there will also be an increased rate of violence to

humans as well. Not coincidentally, two Koreans hold the world's record for

number of killing-spree victims in one burst of rage: One can't help but

wonder how much gratuitous violence to humans and animals these fragile

individual were exposed to as children: Woo Bum Kon carried out the largest

known incident of spree killing in modern history. His victims included 58

dead and 35 wounded. Seung Hui Cho committed mass murder of 32 people and

wounded 25 in what has come to be known as the Virginia Tech Massacre.

 

 

An animal who has been nothing but a friend to mankind is

himself in desperate need of a friend in Korea . If you would like to

protest the latest development in Korea which now includes government

regulation of dog farms in the Livestock Act and in essence sanctions dogs

as livestock please inform Korean government officials that you will not

tolerate such abuse. You may address your concerns to:

 

 

1. Mayor of Seoul Mr. Oh Se-hoon

 

Email: ohsehoon

<http://us.mc533.mail./mc/compose?to=ohsehoon (AT) seoul (DOT) go.kr>

 

Address: Euljiro1, Jung-gu, Seoul , 100-744, Korea

 

Tel +82 2 735 6060

 

 

 

2. Korean President Mr. Lee Myung-bak

 

Email: webmaster

<http://us.mc533.mail./mc/compose?to=webmaster (AT) president (DOT) go.kr>

 

Address: 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

 

Tel: +82 2 730 5800

 

 

 

Ambassador Lee, Tae-Sik

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

2450 Massachusetts Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel: (202)939-5600

Fax: (202)797-0595

E-mail: korinfo

<http://us.mc533.mail./mc/compose?to=korinfo (AT) koreaemb (DOT) org>

 

Extreme violence to animals, as a means of dealing with

suppressed rage is not an acceptable cultural mechanism for relieving

psychological stress. Surely there must be a better way to work out this

anger without victimizing helpless, innocent animals.

 

 

" He that would hang his dog, gives out first that he is mad "

a British proverb " "

 

Thank you,

 

Ruth