NEWS
ACRES PRESS RELEASE
____________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE
14 June 2002
STATEMENT ON THE ISSUE OF DOG EATING IN SOUTH KOREA
TO: The Government of South Korea
BY: ASIA-LINK – a coalition of Asian animal protection NGO’s
DATE: 14 JUNE 2002
We, as Asians working for the protection of animals, believe that the practice of dog eating in South Korea should be banned.
We are concerned by reports that some Korean businessmen intend promoting dog eating during the World Cup Football events to be held in South Korea in June 2002.
It is sad to note that over the past decades, Asian society has been gaining a name for itself as one which is inhumane to animals. The dog eating practice in South Korea contributes to this image in no small manner. In fact, Korea and dog eating have become synonymous even in our minds.
The majority of Asians abhor and condemn the practice of dog eating. We Asians recognise the value of dogs as companion animals. Dogs are historically an integral part of our family. Therefore we ask our Korean brothers to help stop this cruel dog eating practice.
We support the world-wide demand for the Korean government to establish appropriate legal protection for all animals, including, domestic, farm and laboratory animals.
South Korea will be the focus of the world’s media attention during the World Cup Football event in June. We urge you to use this opportunity to take positive action to stop the practice of dog eating and join us in building a more humane Asian society.
END
This statement is written and endorsed by the following organisations under the ASIA-LINK coalition:
BANGLADESH - Bangladesh Animal Welfare Organisation (BAWO)
CHINA - Educational Group for the Protection of Environment & Animals
INDONESIA - Animal Conservation for Life (KSBK)
INDONESIA - Bali Street Dog Foundation
JAPAN - Japan Wildlife Conservation Society (JWCS)
JAPAN - All Life In a Viable Environment (ALIVE)
MALAYSIA - Sarawak SPCA
NEPAL - National Zoonoses & Food Hygiene Research Centre
PHILIPPINES - Philippine Society for the Protection of Animals (PSPA)
SINGAPORE - Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES)
SRI LANKA - Kandy Association for Community Protection through Animal Welfare (KACPAW)
TAIWAN - Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST)
THAILAND - Thai Animal Guardians Association (Thai AGA)
NOTES:
ASIA-LINK is a coalition of NGO’s from 11 Asian countries, which are working for the protection of animals.
ASIA-LINK is supported by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). The WSPA is the world’s largest animal protection organisation, having over 400 member animal protection organisations around the world, and around half a million individual supporters. WSPA has consultative status with the United Nations.
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