A man walks into a pool hall with his dog … no, this isn’t the beginning of a joke—it’s a showcase for a dog with the unique ability to play the game of pool. Meet Halo, who learned to play pool from her owner Josh Kuhn. After Kuhn installed a new pool table in the basement of his Minnesota home, he found Halo to be a regular observer, then a curious participant as Halo would stand up on her back legs, lean her paws onto the table, bark at the balls and run around, eyeing and following the action. Soon, Josh seized upon her curiosity and taught Halo how to play the game by using her paws as a doggie cue.
Beyond marketing hype—what we know, and need to know, about protein ingredients in commercial dog foods. A deeper look at what’s in the type of food so many of us feed our dogs.
In May 2014, Nestlé-Purina, the largest producer of pet foods sold in the U.S., filed a lawsuit against Blue Buffalo dog food, a competitor. Among other things, the lawsuit alleged that Blue Buffalo’s marketing claims—that their foods contained no by-product meals—were false and disparaging to other companies’ products.
WARNING: Topic and video might be sensitive to some readers.
In many cases, people need to mind their own business when it comes to someone else’s life. Yet, when someone is put in danger, it might be worse not to get involved.
So, when 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way star Deavan Clegg shared an Instagram live video that showed her daughter throwing their dog in the background, fans couldn’t keep quiet. When questioned about it, Clegg denied any harm to the dog and got mad at viewers for talking negatively about her daughter.
While many loyal fans are defending Clegg and telling people to stop bringing it up, others just can’t shake off the horrific scene. So, what really happened?
Clegg’s 5-year-old daughter Drascilla was supposedly best friends with the couple’s new puppy named Bam Bam. On a recent episode of 90 Day Fiancé: The OtherWay, Clegg and her husband Jihoon Lee introduced Bam Bam to fans. They said they got him for Drascilla, but fans quickly realized that the dog looked a little too familiar.
Before the episode aired, Bam Bam had appeared in one of Clegg’s Instagram live videos. The video is simply of Clegg doing her makeup, but Drascilla and Bam Bam can be seen in the corner of the screen. If you look closely, you can see the toddler throw the puppy into the air several times. Then, there’s a crash in the background. Clegg turns to ask if Drascilla is okay, but shows no concern for the puppy.
At first, Clegg laughs and comments about how Driscilla and the puppy are always laughing and having a good time, as Driscilla continues to throw Bam Bam. After the crash, you can still hear Drascilla in the background. Clegg glances at her and asks her to “please stop throwing the dog” and to “put the dog down.” But then, the girl can be seen in the corner once again with the dog in the air. She doesn’t seem to make any effort to stop Driscilla or take the puppy away from her.
The Couple’s Responses
Since the video, Clegg and Lee have received a lot of backlash for the 5-year-old’s actions. In the past, Lee had accused Driscilla of hurting his Poodle named Bakki. Also, after he and Clegg split up, he came forward to explain that Driscilla beat Bam Bam to the point where he lost some of his fur. This only got fans more riled up about the situation. Of course, Clegg’s explanation was much different though.
“My dog is 100% okay. The thud you hear is [Driscilla] falling down into the window by our bed,” said Clegg. “You guys do know Koreans eat dog right? And if you keep reporting they’ll just take my dog and put him down and you will be responsible for my dog’s death.”
In another live video, Clegg added that they first got Bam Bam because he was strong. She said Bakki was too weak, so she wanted to get a “strong dog that loves Driscilla.” But a poor puppy shouldn’t have to be strong when spending time with a loved one. If anything, the child should learn how to be more careful with an innocent puppy.
Clegg defended herself and Driscilla in several videos, but some of her arguments just didn’t add up. At one point, she claimed that Driscilla never threw Bam Bam and that she only held him up in the air. However, in the original video, you can clearly hear her tell her daughter to stop throwing the dog.
Where is Bam Bam Now?
Clegg soon became furious and continuously told people to stop being rude to her daughter. She eventually turned off Instagram comments and took down all pictures of Bam Bam to avoid dealing with the haters. But when Bam Bam appeared on the show, viewers soon became worried about the dog again and started asking where he went.
Thankfully, Bam Bam has since been adopted by a more suitable family. It happened shortly after the video took place. However, Clegg and Lee have very different reasons for surrendering the dog. Lee explained that they gave up Bam Bam due to the abuse from Driscilla and the fact that their new baby was allergic to him, but Clegg pinned the blame entirely on Lee.
“Jihoon gave Bam Bam away when he had a fit of anger. He didn’t want two dogs and would get angry that Bam Bam got more attention than his Poodle. Bam Bam did go to a loving home,” Clegg said.
Something just doesn’t seem right though. How can there be two drastically different sides to one story? It’s clear that neither one of them are perfect, but trying to defend animal abuse is unforgivable. A 5-year-old might not know better, but a mother should know better than to let her daughter be so rough near a puppy.
If you have any uncertainty about who to believe, watch the video to see what went down on Instagram live.
It all started with a simple tweet prompt from user @edsbs: “Please tell me about your dumbest dog.” Thousands of likes and retweets later, we ended up with tons of hilarious stories about silly, clueless, and lovable dogs.
You don’t need to give a dog lover much before they launch into one of their many tales about the pup. This thread contains so many hilarious replies that you’ll probably have to check it out for yourself. But to make things a bit easier, here are just a select few of some of the best stories about “dumb” dogs and their goofy antics.
“He chewed a hole in the grill cover and then got stuck in it.”
“My old, dumb dumb of a dobie would hear a mosquito or house fly, and run into the bathroom and jump in the tub to hide. He hated baths yet he must have hated the terror that was tiny little insects more.”
“This is Mellie. She can walk up stairs, but not down them. She can jump on the sofa, but not off it. She is terrified of carpet, but tries to attack our 75lb pit bull daily. Wearing a collar makes her legs stop working.”
Some Honorable Mentions That Didn’t Come With Photos
Even without adding a photo of their less than genius pups, some used their 280 characters to do some storytelling:
“Went to mass on Xmas eve. Left a honey baked ham on a counter. The dog ate it. The ham was so salty he got thristy and drank all the water, from his bowl and the toilet bowls. The ham gave him diarrhea. The water made him have to pee. We came home to a warzone.” – @RobDauster via Twitter
“I had a lab and a pug for a while, and that pug would walk under my lab while he was p*ssing, (in the danger zone no less) and he’d lift his head and look up. He did this at least 3 times, and every time he’d look at me afterward with the confused ‘I got peed on” face.’ So dumb.” -@clfdfinest via Twitter
Our dogs may stick their heads in too small places or eat things they shouldn’t, but every stupid thing they do makes another memory to look back on and laugh.
Animal advocates are fighting for the end of the dog meat trade in South Korea, leading to yet another dog meat farm permanently closing its doors. This recent closure has left 196 dogs in the hands of animal rescuers, and they are now in need of forever homes in America!
Animal shelters across the country have come together to find a home for every single furry friend involved in this rescue. With Humane Society International leading the way, they were able to recruit an impressive team of shelters that are offering a temporary space for each pup to rest their heads.
All 196 dogs have touched down in the U.S. safely, and are adjusting to a life free of constant fear. Once these furry friends have rested and recovered from their long journey, they will need a forever family that’s ready to give them their all. These pups have endured the unthinkable and will need a home that’s filled with the love they so desperately need.
Thankfully for the dogs of South Korea, the dog meat trade is a dying industry. A recent poll shows that 84% of participants would never eat dog meat and that 59% support a legislative ban on the dog meat trade altogether.
“Although most people in South Korea don’t regularly eat dog meat, and support for a ban is growing, there remain thousands of farms of all sizes across the country where dogs of all breeds endure a harsh existence.” – Kelly O’Meara
The current pandemic made bringing these dogs to the states a bit more challenging than usual, but the team at Humane Society International was dedicated to making it happen. Travel regulations tried to stand in their way, but nothing could stop this incredible team of animal advocates.
While this was a huge win for animal lovers everywhere, they still have so much work to do when it comes to animal welfare in countries like South Korea. The passion that HSI has for animals around the world is indescribable, making them fit to take on the challenge ahead!
“With fewer people wanting to eat dog, farmers can see the writing is on the wall for this dying industry and so they work with HSI to find a solution that gives both them and their remaining dogs a chance of a new life. With such interest from dog farmers, and public support, we hope the Korean government will adopt this type of approach to phase out the dog meat industry for good.” – Kelly O’Meara
If you are interested in adopting any of the dogs involved in this rescue, we encourage you to reach out to any of the above rescues that we mentioned above. The pups will be sent to shelters around the country over the next month, hopefully offering them the beautiful future they always deserved!
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast. The storm destroyed homes, took lives, and left entire neighborhoods in shambles for months. Six-month-old Ava, a terrier mix, survived the storm, but the worst was yet to come for her.
Just one week after the hurricane passed through Houston, Ava was shot point-blank in her right eye. When her attacker saw that she was still alive, they tried to beat her to death with a hammer. Ava survived both attacks but was left to suffer without care for weeks. By the time someone finally turned Ava over to Houston BARC, her wounds had been left untreated for so long that they had already started to heal on their own.
At this time, Houston’s shelters and rescues had their hands full dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The city’s stray dogs needed shelter, as well as pets who had been separated from their families. The need was so great that temporary shelters had to be set up to accommodate them all. Still, when rescuers with Houston Pets Alive saw the poor little pup, they didn’t hesitate to pull her from the city shelter and get her the help she needed.
HPA was told that Ava would need multiple surgeries – 4 on the same day, totaling more than $6,000. Her injuries made it difficult for her to eat, hear, and see. Even with the city at its lowest point, with many people struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Harvey, they managed to raise the money for Ava’s care.
Two days after she arrived at the rescue, she met her new foster mom and dad, Kilyn and Fransisco. They would open their home to Ava and show her all the love she had missed out on so far and make her as comfortable as possible until she could have her surgeries. Even after the abuse she had suffered, Ava was a sweet, happy girl, and her foster family soon found that the name “Bubbles” better suited her.
That November, after weeks of being left untreated, Bubbles finally underwent surgery. She spent three hours on the operating table. Doctors removed the bullet, which was still lodged under the skin behind her right ear. A section of her jawbone had to be removed so she could open and close her mouth and eat normally. Then, doctors removed a section of her right ear canal, which had been damaged by the bullet.
Kilyn and Fransisco waited on pins and needles to hear how her surgeries had gone. When they were finally able to see her after surgery, she walked right over to Fransisco and curled up in his lap. By that point, he and Kilyn were already sure that they wanted Bubbles to stay with them forever.
“She loves to cuddle and fall asleep in your lap. As soon as we knew that it was a good match, we applied for her adoption.”
The following summer, she was ready to be adopted, and Kilyn and Fransisco got to officially welcome her home. But even after becoming an official member of the family, Bubbles’s journey wasn’t over. They found that her teeth were boring holes into her mouth, and her eye still needed attention. Even so, her family stood by her side as she endured two more mouth surgeries and a procedure on her right eye.
Through it all, Bubbles stayed the same sweet, happy dog the family had fallen in love with. She fits into their home perfectly. Along with mom and dad, she now has five brothers and sisters, Tikka, Dora, Buster, Dash, and a human brother she absolutely adores! They spend their days playing and snuggling up together.
If Bubbles’s past wasn’t written all over her face, you might never know that she had ever been abused or neglected. She’s missing her right eye and her teeth peek out of her right lip, but she wears an adorable lopsided smile on that face. Her upbeat attitude inspires her thousands of Instagram followers, and she stands as proof that a little positivity can carry you a long way.
Bubbles has become an ambassador for dogs who have suffered abuse – and she does it with flair! She and mom appeared in 2020’s Pin-Ups for Pit Bulls Calendar, she brings awareness to other adoptable dogs, and she often makes appearances around the Houston area in support of local rescues.
It’s difficult to think that Bubbles’ life might have ended at only six-months-old. The world might have missed out on all the love, joy, and happiness she has given her family and followers since. Her attacker was never caught, but Bubbles doesn’t waste time wondering what if – she is too busy looking forward to a brighter, happier future with her new family.
iHeartDogs is proud to be reaching our goal of raising $650,000 for charity in 2020! There are always dogs that need our help, so we will continue to support them in any way we can. Currently, we are raising money for a sweet little French Bulldog named Popeye. He is happy to receive donations to help fund his emergency medical expenses.
Reversed Rescue kindly took Popeye in after his long life of neglect. He spent eight years with a human who didn’t fully appreciate him. His human was gone most of the time, so the sweet pup spent about 6 months every year in a kennel, wishing he could be with a family who loved him. Finally, his human decided to do the right thing and surrender him so that Popeye could find a better home. But he had a lot of recovering to do before his happily ever after could truly begin.
Spending so much time alone wasn’t just bad for Popeye’s emotional state, but it also caused some long-term medical problems. When he first entered Reversed Rescue’s care, he had nerve issues in his hind leg, which made walking difficult for him. It also caused him to be incontinent. But through it all, Popeye stayed strong and refused to give up.
Sadly, Popeye’s health suddenly declined a few days ago. He began vomiting, and he had blood in his stool. The rescue found out that he had a parasite, so he was rushed to the ER. It seems that his medical expenses will be even higher than expected.
Poor Popeye needs $4,000 for his emergency medical care. So, we’re reaching out to our iHeartDogs heroes for support. Your donations have already made such a big difference for many dogs in need. Now, Popeye is the one who needs support more than anything.
By raising money for Popeye’s care, he’ll be able to get the fresh start that he deserves. So please, help be a part of that miracle! Even small donations can make a huge difference for a dog in need. If more than $4,000 is raised, the extra money will go to Reversed Rescue, which will allow them to save even more dogs like Popeye.
Thank you to all the incredible heroes who have helped us raise so much money for charity! We could never reach our 2020 $650,000 charity goal without your kindness.
You know it and we know it. Puppies are cute. Everything about those tiny stinkers is so adorable its hard to decide what the cutest thing about a puppy might be! Could it be their tiny toes? Or maybe those little tails? It might be their button noses or the way they give us kisses. Oh, who can decide!
Everything about baby dogs is perfection, including their puppy bellies!
Since we can all agree that puppy tummies are just too cute, let’s get silly and look at a whole bunch of puppy belly pictures!
All the puppies you’ll see here are part of foster homes or dog rescue groups. Check out their pages for adoption info or to find out how to get involved. If you’re not available for fostering dogs, volunteers are always needed at animal rescue shelters. And, you can shop iHeartDogs.com to help fund food, toys, and blankets for dogs in need.
Fig and Fern have the happiest baby bellies ever thanks to their foster mom and dog!
“Day 3 of being foster parents and we are so in love”…How could you not be when looking after adorable puppies like Homer and his siblings! That tummy is too much cuteness!
This little chunk may have an ouchie, but she’s still a “Lounging Queen”! She’ll be all better soon because her foster mom is taking excellent care of the baby and her belly!
Big Love Animal Rescue has had some sleepless nights thanks to this sweetie and her brother! But the grogginess is totally worth it for such a darling puppy tummy…
For some rescue dogs, finding a family is easy. But for others, it can seem to drag on forever. Drools the 4-year-old Pit Bull and Boxer mix has been waiting for his adoption day for 722 days so far. And he still needs to find that perfect family.
Conour Animal Shelter in Monte Vista, Colorado says that Drools is the perfect companion. Like all dogs, he has some specific requests for his new home, but all he really wants is someone to give him love and cuddles. Please help him find his perfect human!
Drools was surrendered to the shelter almost two years ago now. Despite being so sweet and gentle, he has had a difficult time getting adopted. The staff thinks it’s likely because the shelter is in a rural area, so the adoptable dogs don’t get a ton of publicity. Luckily, Kacey Widetich with Relay for Rescue and a few of her colleagues stepped up to help.
“There’s not a lot of exposure because of [the shelter’s] location,” Widetich said. “And because we’re kind of particular about what kind of forever home he goes to. He does need to go to a home where he’ll be the only pet, no other dogs or cats.”
First, the Relay for Rescue staff helped make sure Drools was up to date on all his vaccinations. They also spent lots of time playing with him and getting to know him. While he might not get along with all dogs and cats, he seems to love all people, even children. However, he might seem shy at first when meeting new people.
But Relay for Rescue’s goal was about much more than just providing care and exposure for Drools. They decided to take their commitment to the next level. So, they scheduled a sleepover with him on his 716th day at the shelter.
The kind volunteers with Relay for Rescue vowed to sleep at the shelter with Drools every night until he was adopted. They set up a room near the shelter’s entrance where they could comfortably rest with Drools. They said he loves to cuddle up right beside them at night.
During their stay at the shelter, they’re also capturing photos and videos of their experiences. They share these adorable moments on Facebook, including him receiving a basket full of toys and him getting a well-deserved bath. Drools has moderate energy and activity levels, and he just loves to be pet as much as possible.
If you or someone you know lives in Colorado and is interested in adopting Drools, please contact Relay for Rescue or Conour Animal Shelter. He deserves to have his happily ever after soon!
Dogs can do extraordinary things that never cease to amaze us. But, sadly, all heroes must eventually say goodbye.
Diego was a Belgian Malinois that worked hard to serve the land and the people that he loved. He was the last born in a litter of 10 puppies. He may have arrived late, but that never held him back. Little did Diego know that his life was destined for something much bigger than most pups ever get to experience.
Diego called the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya his home. This is a non-profit wildlife conservatory that aims to protect animal populations that are at risk of harm. Diego worked fearlessly alongside rangers to protect the lives of rhinos and bring awareness to his community. Yep, you read that right! Diego was a trained attack dog that put his life on the line every day to help keep his community safe and save rhinos from extinction.
“Diego was instrumental to security operations in the region. During his years of service, he assisted in firearm and ammunition recovered from cattle rustlers at Wamba, Samburu County,” the conservancy said in a statement. “He took part in a poacher recovery operation at Lake Nakuru National Park. At Shaba National Reserve and Westgate Conservancy, he took part in tracking cattle rustlers where two national police reservists were shot dead but the stolen cattle recovered.”
There Was Just One Battle That Diego Struggled With
Diego was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. This came as devastating news to Diego’s coworkers. They felt like they were losing a family member instead of a co-worker. Diego had proudly and valiantly served with them over five years.
@OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Diego, just 8-years-old, touched so many lives. He was described as “man’s best friend.” They also said he was obedient, intelligent, and calm. The conservancy released a statement:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Diego, the Belgian Malinois who has been the star of our K-9 Unit for over 5 years. Diego had to be euthanized on Monday, October 19th after being diagnosed with bone cancer,” they said. “The team of vets considered a leg amputation to save his life, but unfortunately his blood tests revealed that he was also suffering from liver and pancreatic failure and that the disease was much more advanced than we thought.”
@OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Diego was surrounded by love as he took his last breath on October 19th. His death has devastated everyone who was lucky enough to call him a partner and friend. It is without question that Diego helped make the world a better place. He was a lucky pup but the world was even luckier to have him in it. His love and compassion will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him.
RIP Diego!
h/t: tuko.co.ke Featured Photo: @OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Dogs can do extraordinary things that never cease to amaze us. But, sadly, all heroes must eventually say goodbye.
Diego was a Belgian Malinois that worked hard to serve the land and the people that he loved. He was the last born in a litter of 10 puppies. He may have arrived late, but that never held him back. Little did Diego know that his life was destined for something much bigger than most pups ever get to experience.
Diego called the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, Kenya his home. This is a non-profit wildlife conservatory that aims to protect animal populations that are at risk of harm. Diego worked fearlessly alongside rangers to protect the lives of rhinos and bring awareness to his community. Yep, you read that right! Diego was a trained attack dog that put his life on the line every day to help keep his community safe and save rhinos from extinction.
“Diego was instrumental to security operations in the region. During his years of service, he assisted in firearm and ammunition recovered from cattle rustlers at Wamba, Samburu County,” the conservancy said in a statement. “He took part in a poacher recovery operation at Lake Nakuru National Park. At Shaba National Reserve and Westgate Conservancy, he took part in tracking cattle rustlers where two national police reservists were shot dead but the stolen cattle recovered.”
There Was Just One Battle That Diego Struggled With
Diego was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. This came as devastating news to Diego’s coworkers. They felt like they were losing a family member instead of a co-worker. Diego had proudly and valiantly served with them over five years.
@OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Diego, just 8-years-old, touched so many lives. He was described as “man’s best friend.” They also said he was obedient, intelligent, and calm. The conservancy released a statement:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Diego, the Belgian Malinois who has been the star of our K-9 Unit for over 5 years. Diego had to be euthanized on Monday, October 19th after being diagnosed with bone cancer,” they said. “The team of vets considered a leg amputation to save his life, but unfortunately his blood tests revealed that he was also suffering from liver and pancreatic failure and that the disease was much more advanced than we thought.”
@OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Diego was surrounded by love as he took his last breath on October 19th. His death has devastated everyone who was lucky enough to call him a partner and friend. It is without question that Diego helped make the world a better place. He was a lucky pup but the world was even luckier to have him in it. His love and compassion will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him.
RIP Diego!
h/t: tuko.co.ke Featured Photo: @OlPejetaConservancy/Facebook
Earlier this week, concerned dog parents began fighting to save a rescue dog named Draco. After Daniella Bizzoco rehomed the sweet dog when moving to New York, things suddenly changed for the worse. Draco’s new human, an 18-year-old man, had complications with the dog, which lead to him surrendering Draco to the shelter. The man claimed that Draco was dangerous, which automatically lead to the pup getting set to be euthanized. However, none of Draco’s former families had ever seen any dangerous behaviors with the dog. Luckily, all of Bizzoco’s hard work to save Draco’s life is finally paying off.
Draco isn’t in the clear yet, but he has been given some extra time to breathe a sigh of relief. On the day he was set to go, the judge ordered a temporary injunction that prohibits the dog from being euthanized. A proper hearing will take place to ultimately determine Draco’s fate. So, Bizocco still has an opportunity to defend Draco.
“Based upon the averments in the petition, it is herby ordered that a temporary injunction is hereby issued prohibiting the Respondent from euthanizing the canine known as ‘Draco,'” a court document reads.
When Bizzoco gave Draco to his new family, she specifically told them that if it didn’t work out, she would take him back and work something out. Yet, after the biting incident, Draco’s new human has been unwilling to cooperate with Bizzoco. It seems he’s not interested in giving the pup a second chance no matter what.
Bizzoco Fights for Draco as Man Refuses to Back Down
Despite so many people fighting to save Draco’s life, the man who surrendered him is refusing to show any sympathy. He said that he doesn’t plan to appeal the ruling and that Draco’s bite was clearly unprovoked.
“I was bitten about half an inch under my eye, my upper lip, and above that,” he said. “I still have the scars.”
But Bizzoco and many dog lovers have agreed that this isn’t enough to classify a dog as dangerous. Oftentimes, dog bites seem unprovoked, but dogs usually show at least small warning signs before lashing out. So, Bizzoco strongly believes that it was an accident that Draco shouldn’t be so harshly punished for. When he was in her care, he never once growled or tried to bite anyone.
“Why put Draco down? He’s only two,” she said. “It was probably by accident. We want him back. We wouldn’t be fighting this hard if we didn’t.”
Draco isn’t completely safe yet, but at least Bizzoco will finally get a chance to stand up for him in court. Even the best behaved dogs can get scared and lash out in unfamiliar situations. They shouldn’t be euthanized for this without given a proper hearing. After all, a loving family should be able to help dogs like Draco learn from these unfortunate situations. Hopefully, Draco’s upcoming hearing will take that into account.
Dogs save people all the time, and we hear about those heroes on the news. But we don’t often hear about the dogs who are everyday heroes—the dogs who save us from ourselves.
When I had nothing left, I still had my dog. In fact, at a total rock bottom in my life, all I had was my dog. As I struggled with mental-health issues and alcoholism, my black-and-white Pit Bull, Brayson, saved me on a daily basis.
Brayson’s name was meant to sound soft and approachable for fear of the stigma that Pit Bulls have had to contend with in recent years. And he was soft, friendly and loving. At my worst moments, throughout my struggles, I would promise Brayson that a house with a fenced-in backyard would come.
The dog meat trade is notoriously cruel. Dogs are bred for their meat, never getting to experience the world outside their cage. Some dogs were once family pets, who were stolen from happy homes and sold to farms. In some cultures, people believe that fear makes the meat taste better, and dogs are viciously abused before slaughter for the sake of “flavor.”
But the sentiment toward dog meat is changing. What was once thought of as a traditional food or delicacy in many eastern countries is now falling out of favor. A recent poll from Humane Society International shows that most South Koreans have zero interest in eating dog.
84% of those polled say they have never eaten dog meat, and would not try it if offered.
59% say that they support banning the consumption of dog meat altogether.
57% of South Koreans think that the eating of dog meat reflects poorly on their country. This is a huge upswing from the only 37% that said so in 2017.
This situation went almost unnoticed before because it was unpleasant to discuss the suffering of dogs or the presence of dog meat farms. But in recent years the media has given the dog meat trade more attention, helping raise awareness and opposition to the slaughter of dogs.
A younger generation of South Koreans is rejecting old ideas and becoming more open to having dogs as family members, not food. This is excellent news for dog lovers everywhere.
Humane Society International is working hard to spread the word about how dog meat farms really operate and are shutting them down one by one. They recently closed a 17th dog meat farm in South Korea, saving nearly 200 dogs who had been living in stacked, cramped cages. Nara Kim, HSI Korea’s Dog Meat Campaign Manager, says that, though they’ve shut down several farms before, this rescue was especially heartbreaking.
“Every dog meat farm I’ve visited has a horrible stench of feces and rotting food, but there was something different about this dog farm, it had a smell of death. The conditions were truly pitiful, and when we found these dogs they had looks of utter despair on their faces that will haunt us forever.
“Many of them are covered in painful sores and wounds from neglect, some have inflamed eyes and peer out blindly from their cage. I feel grateful they can no longer see this horrible place they live in, and when they finally receive veterinary care and can open their eyes, they will never have to endure this hopelessness again.“
Thanks to HSI, these dogs are now on their way to a much better life. All 196 dogs were tested for canine influenza, vaccinated, and after a 30-day hold, will be transported to rescues in the U.S. to find loving families of their own.
The owner of the farm, Kim Il-Hwan, says the last few years have been especially difficult. The industry is in decline, and he can see the writing on the wall.
“Dog meat consumption is really low and is getting lower. I don’t think anyone under 50 years old eats dogs anymore. The media coverage of the animal protection movement has changed people’s minds so much. There’s no future in dog farming.”
HSI is unable to shut down farms by force. Instead, they convince farmers to give up their way of life and adopt a new one. It hurts us to think of dogs being used for their meat, but for farmers in countries that have always accepted the eating of dog meat, it’s no different than raising chickens or cows for slaughter. But as consumption decreases, farmers are becoming more eager to get out of the business. Like other former farmers, Kim will receive financial and career assistance from HSI in return for surrendering his dogs and leaving the dog meat trade. He says he is now looking forward to a new beginning in construction.
There are still an estimated 2,800 registered dog meat farms operating in South Korea, but the decline of dog meat consumption and the changing attitude among the people could mean more closures and at a faster pace.
You can help Humane Society International in their mission to end the dog meat trade by donating to their cause at HSI.org.
