Dear Friend,

In an effort to shine a spotlight on the illegal trade in dog and cat products thriving in South Korea, IDA is joining Animal Freedom Korea and others for an international day of protest. On July 15, 2005, the first of Korea’s Bok days, activists worldwide will speak up for Korean dogs and cats. Bok days are the hottest days of the year and the time of year when the most dogs are consumed. Why? Because there is a belief that eating the flesh of dogs who do not sweat will cool the consumer’s body.

Although technically dog and cat consumption is illegal in South Korea, the Government ignores offenders and has actually made moves to inspect dog meat for sanitation, in effect making it legal. By doing so, the Korean Government is approving the torture and killing of millions of dogs and cats. The Government’s stamp of approval is outrageous when noting that the majority of Koreans do not consume dogs or cats or approve of consumption of such cruel products.

If the Government genuinely wants to eradicate the potentially harmful effects of dog meat to public health, it should enforce its laws banning dog meat; not legalize it.

Please organize a protest at the Korean Embassy or Consulate nearest you on or around July 15! If you don’t live in a city with an Embassy or Consulate, you can be just as effective by organizing a demonstration in a busy location with a lot of foot traffic. Click here for a list of events.

If your city is not on the list and you can organize a protest, please write to koreandogs (at) idausa.org and we'll add your information to the protest page and send you posters and leaflets.

Also click here to learn about more ways you can help make this campaign as effective as possible.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Kristie Phelps
Program Coordinator
kristie (at) idausa.org

South Korean Embassies Worldwide

www.embassyworld.com/embassy/South_Korea/South_Korea.html

www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/government/embassies/south_korea.htm