Ban dog meat trade

  • In South Korea, an estimated 2.5 million dogs are eaten every year
  • In Thailand, at least 30,000 dogs are captured every month to export into Vietnam as part of the international dog meat trade. This amounts to 1,000 dogs being trafficked daily into Vietnam
  • In the Philippines, 10,000 dogs and 350 humans die of rabies every year
  • During China's annual Dog Meat Eating Festival in Guangxi province, 15,000 stray and abducted dogs are slaughtered
The problem

The consumption of dog meat has been a long existing cultural phenomenon in East Asia. Dog meat eating has been traditionally associated to cultural traditions and falsely linked to myths about health benefits.

The commercial production of dog meat has long been associated with animal cruelty and suffering. The disregard for animal welfare and safety has been witnessed throughout the whole production process; from the dogs' living facilities through to transportation and killing methods.

Dogs live in poor conditions where their housing is dirty and overcrowded and they receiving a lack of proper food and water with no daily exercise or mental stimulus. Consequently, a large proportion of dogs often die en route to their destinations due to dehydration, heat stroke or suffocation. There is also a high frequency of injury and fighting among them due to high levels of stress, hunger and fear.

At the slaughterhouses, reports have raised major concerns surrounding the killing methods employed. Without government regulation, inhumane slaughter methods have been used, including clubbing the dogs to death, throats being cut, being boiled alive, electrocution and hanging.

The Kennel Club's view

We are opposed to the sale and consumption of dog meat. Whilst taking into consideration culture and traditional differences, culture and customs should not be used as an excuse for animal cruelty.

How you can get involved

  • Write a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UK, 49-51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL asking him to help end animal suffering in China by contacting the Chinese Government and urging them to introduce animal welfare legislation to outlaw the eating of dogs and cats
  • Write to your local MP to raise dog- and cat-related welfare issues to the Government
  • Contact The Kennel Club for further information, or call 0207 518 1020
  • Contact Animals Asia Foundation for further information call 01579 347 148
  • Contact Change For Animals Foundation for further information