SEOUL—Seven dogs―the sole survivors of a devastating wildfire that destroyed a dog meat farm in Andong, Gyeongbuk Province in South Korea where 700 dogs burned to death―are being flown to safety in the United States thanks to Humane World for Animals South Korea, formerly known as Humane Society International. Once they recover from their burns and trauma, they will begin their journey to find adoptive families.
Humane World for Animals South Korea, which successfully helped campaign for a ban on the dog meat industry in the country, effective from 2027, answered a call for help by action group Lucy’s Friends*. The group had rescued the dogs after the dog meat farmer fled the fire and hundreds of dogs were left to perish in their cages. Somehow, eight dogs escaped, one later succumbing to her injuries. Guwon, Gudol and Howoo all suffered burns to their face, back, paws and other areas. Wondo, Samdo and Sado were rescued in an emaciated state and Yido has been left very timid from his ordeal.
Download photos and video of the dogs here.
Sangkyung Lee, campaign manager at Humane World for Animals South Korea, said: “The horrific deaths of hundreds of dogs at this dog meat farm is a tragedy, the suffering they must have endured is unimaginable. Thankfully these lucky seven made it out alive and we are so pleased to be able to offer them a chance of happy lives in loving families after the trauma they have been through. In addition to being treated for burns, abrasions, smoke inhalation, stress and malnutrition, these dogs will also need time and patience to learn to trust people.
At our care and rehabilitation center in the United States, we will give them all the time, veterinary care and love they need to heal. Thankfully, with the dog meat industry ban coming into force in less than two years, dog meat farms like this will be consigned to our history books.”
The blaze was one of multiple wildfires that has raged across the country since March, said to be South Korea’s largest ever wildfire event causing devastation, displacing tens of thousands of people and killing at least 30. The fire that caused the tragic deaths of hundreds of dogs at Andong is just one of reportedly several fires at dog meat farms. Tens of thousands of other animals have also died in fires, such as cows and pigs who were unable to escape the flames.
Although the dog meat farmer in this case later returned to his property with the intension of selling the surviving dogs for meat, campaigners persuaded him to relinquish the dogs to them. His farm will close permanently as under the new law it is illegal to rebuild it.
The seven surviving dogs will be flown to the United States where they will receive veterinary treatment at Humane World for Animals’ care and rehabilitation centre in Maryland, U.S. before moving to shelter and rescue placement partners for adoption.
Their flight to freedom comes as Humane World for Animals South Korea is planning another rescue in early May. The charity’s Animal Rescue Team will rescue almost 70 dogs and puppies who were abandoned at a dog meat farm in Cheongju city after it was closed for animal cruelty violations.
Download photos and video of the dogs here: https://pressportal.humaneworld.org/dam/search?q=expr%3AFieldName(%22AssociatedAssets%22).Link.Record.Id%20%3D%20%2262d09b1b-8520-4a0d-ab79-b2c300e1947c%22
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Notes
*Lucy’s Friends comprises Dorothy Rescue, KARA, LIFE, Korean Dogs, TBT Rescue and KK9 Rescue.
