In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love Rescue Saved 28 Dogs From The ‘Boknal’ Dog Meat Festival In South Korea From Being Slaughtered For Their Meat; Help Is Still Needed

Photos from In Defense Of Animals

In Defense of Animals and Jindo Love Rescue recently seized 28 dogs bound for slaughter en-route to South Korea’s dog meat festival, known as ‘Boknal.’ Almost all of the dogs are suffering from heartworm and severe neglect. The rescue team is calling for donations to support urgently-needed emergency medical treatment.

“Our Korean rescue partners got a tip-off about a truck piled high with rusty wire metal cages crammed full of helpless dogs packed together and they rushed to the scene,” Fleur Dawes, In Defense of Animals Communications Director, said in a statement sent to WAN. “Some of the dogs were struggling to breathe. They were packed so tightly that they could not move or even turn their heads.”

The dogs were shoved into cages stacked on top of one another. Some had collars around their necks, a clear indication that they were not farmed or raised for their meat, but beloved family companions. Many of the dogs had fresh injuries from fights caused by other dogs clawing their way beneath the pile, desperate to escape the crushing weight.

A brave and determined member of the South Korean rescue team attended the scene and called the authorities. She pleaded the dogs’ case and successfully begged for their release.

The dogs were unloaded and rushed to a veterinary hospital. All of the dogs were hurt, starved and dehydrated, and most have life-threatening illnesses.

Sadly, two dogs have died, and more are struggling. Basic medical care will cost over $1,000 per dog for the remaining 26 survivors.

“Rescue is just the first step; all of the dogs will need healing, foster care, training, and rehabilitation to make a complete recovery,” stated Patti Kim, of Jindo Love Rescue.

Although many South Koreans shun dog meat, more than two million dogs are eaten in the country each year. Most perish during South Korea’s annual Boknal dog-meat slaughter, which is similar to China’s infamous Yulin Dog Meat festival.

Boknal is held on a series of three days in which many thousands of dogs are cruelly and brutally slaughtered in filthy back-alley butcher shops for a stew believed by some to cool diners down on the hottest days of the year and enhance virility. There is no scientific evidence for this so-called belief to be true.

Your help is needed to save these rescued dogs and many more like them from the dog meat trade in Asia. Please consider donating to In Defense of Animals, HERE!

You can help all animals by choosing compassion on your plate. #GoVeg