South Korea Bans Dog Slaughter for Meat Consumption

South Korea has banned the consumption of dog meat. A bill has been passed that prohibits the breeding and slaughter of dogs for the purpose of eating their meat. The legislation was adopted almost unanimously, with 208 members of parliament supporting it and two abstaining, as reported by Reuters. The bill now awaits the signature of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The legislation stipulates a penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of 30 million Korean won (about 23 thousand dollars) for anyone found guilty of killing a dog for consumption. Those who breed dogs for food, or knowingly buy, transport, keep, or sell dog meat products, will also face penalties and imprisonment. However, the bill does not impose penalties for the use of dog meat in diets, according to CNN.

It has been reported that farm owners and restaurant proprietors, as well as others involved in the dog meat industry, will be given three years to close their businesses or transition to different industries. According to South Korean authorities, approximately 1,100 dog farms operate in the country, breeding about half a million dogs. Farmers have expressed their opposition to the bill, claiming it could leave up to one million people unemployed.