SPCA Westchester Rescues 2 Dogs From South Korea Meat Market

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — Two young mix breed dogs will arrive Wednesday at SPCA Westchester’s Rescue Center having narrowly escaped a horrific fate.

Pablo and Parker were originally taken in by Humane Society International which shut down the meat farm in South Korea where the dogs and dozens of others were trapped in feces-covered cages and slated for torture and slaughter for their meat.

According to the SCPA Westchester, their rescue comes on the heels of a historic ruling by the South Korean government which passed a bill Jan. 9 banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption.

It is widely known that stray animals are rounded up and shipped off to meat farms and markets, where they are forced to live in unconscionable conditions, the humane organization said. Activists have even witnessed dogs being beaten and electrocuted leading up to their slaughter.

The legislation, which is still awaiting final approval by South Korea’s president, stipulates owners and workers in the dog meat trade must transition, close or change their business within a three-year period or face fines and/or imprisonment.

When the animals get to SPCA Westchester, they will receive immediate medical examinations and veterinary care. One is suffering with fractured teeth, and the other has facial scarring that will need to be treated.

Officials said it is unknown how the injuries were sustained, but evidence points to the dangerous and cruel conditions they were living in at the meat farm.

Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester’s executive director, said the organization is looking forward to providing these dogs with an abundance of TLC and finding them loving homes.

“We’re told that these innocent dogs appear to be very trusting and have not lost their faith in people,” she said, “which is remarkable considering all that they’ve endured.”