Throughout Korean history, there have been customs linked to the consumption of dog meat on certain occasions, such as traditional festivals or wedding ceremonies. In some regions, eating dog meat was believed to have health benefits, such as increased stamina and protection from negativity.
The slaughter of dogs for meat and its consumption generate an economy in South Korea, so much so that workers and operators in the sector have demonstrated to protest against the decision. The Seoul government is considering social safety nets to support the unemployed of this sector.
To tell the truth, many Koreans do not eat dog meat. Many considered it unacceptable to treat dogs as pets and as a source of food at the same time. Over the years, there have been efforts to regulate or ban the consumption of dog meat in some parts of Korea. For example, some cities and provinces have imposed restrictions or bans, while other areas have kept traditions linked to eating dog meat. The law has officially settled the dispute.
A reflection comes spontaneously. What if we applied a similar rule, for example, to the horse or the cow? Indeed, in India, for example, the cow is sacred, and many horse lovers would recoil at the mere thought of their trusted friend ending up in the butcher’s department in small pieces.
For example, the “Animal Welfare Institute” works to promote animal welfare in general and has supported specific campaigns to ban horse slaughter in several countries. The main reasons behind these efforts are linked to animal welfare and to the view of horses as companion or working animals rather than as a source of meat.
Many believe that horses have a long history of collaboration with humans and should be treated with respect and dignity until the end of their lives.
On the other hand, many businesses depend on the production and sale of the meat of specific animals for their economic survival. A ban or regulation of the use of these animals may put their survival at risk.
The closure or strict regulation of such sectors may lead to job losses for the workers involved. This entails a series of social and economic challenges, including unemployment and economic instability for the affected communities. In South Korea, the creation of social safety nets has been considered to support the decision to abolish dog farming and the consumption of dog meat. Where the economic system involves many players, such a decision therefore has a significant impact on state coffers and thus on taxpayers’ pockets.
Finding solutions that take into account both animal protection and economic sustainability is often an arduous task that calls for courageous choices on the part of administrators.
