CommentsANIMAL POLITICS-Tens of millions of dogs are brutally tortured and killed every year in the Dog Meat Trade in China, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
On July 3rd, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting legislation or administrative action that would request the governments of those countries to ban the sale of dog meat and enforce their animal cruelty laws. As stated in the resolution:
“[I]t is estimated that 10 to 20 million dogs in China, 5 million dogs in Vietnam, and one million dogs each in South Korea. Indonesia, and Cambodia are killed for food each year…
“[D]ogs in these countries are kept in cramped, rusty cages stacked on top of each other, and slaughtered in brutal ways such as hanging or electrocution, due to an erroneous belief that high adrenaline levels will produce tender meat and increase the supposed health benefits of consuming dog.”
The City Council resolution is available here.
The resolution still has to be approved by Mayor Eric Garcetti, but it is expected that he will do so, since he is a strong supporter of animal welfare.
Over 500 people submitted public comments to the City Council in support of this resolution. See upper right-hand corner, “Communications from the Public.” There was not one comment I saw in the Council File opposing the resolution. More than 500 to 0 in favor.
Many of the public comments were angry, including some that advocated for a boycott of countries involved in the dog meat and cat meat trade. Many were extremely sad, detailing the terrible lives and horrendous torture these animals are subjected to. Many expressed thanks to the Los Angeles City Council and Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) for these resolutions. (The related VANC Resolution is available here.
The best expression of what this resolution means to so many people, and their disgust and horror regarding the dog meat trade, is stated by those who submitted public comments. Below are excerpts from some of the comments submitted to the City Council, which are representative of hundreds of other comments.
We respectfully request that the Consuls General and Ambassadors of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, and Cambodia please take notice of what these people say regarding the treatment of dogs in your countries, and convey their comments, and the hundreds of other comments submitted to the Los Angeles City Council, to the relevant authorities in your countries:
I would like to express my wholehearted support for resolution CF 19-0002-S101 introduced by Council member Bob Blumenfield and seconded by Council member David Ryu. Los Angeles is in a unique position via its considerable ties with South Korea to bring about the end of the dog meat trade in the country. This will hopeful trigger societal change in surrounding countries (China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia and Indonesia) that together brutally kill up to 28 million dogs a year for food. Even if these dogs are 'lucky' and are not killed by torture (blowtorch, hanging) in the belief that it makes their flesh more tender, the conditions they are kept in are hell on earth. In these sweltering countries they are crammed in cages that are thrown in and out of trucks with no regard for trapped limbs or space to move. Sometimes
travelling for days at a time, their mouths are often taped shut so they effectively cook from the inside out - dying from heatstroke in transit - a painful but merciful release considering the
alternative. If they make it to market, they are either starved or if they are raised on a dog farm - fed diseased, rotten meat (sometimes via a tube forced down their throats) - depending on if
they are sold by weight or not. This must end. As a close ally, South Korea is a key starting point. President Moon Jae In is already a dog lover. He owns a Pungsan named Maru and a rescue dog called Tori who was destined for the meat trade. As a democracy the more South Korean politicians, business leaders and citizens we can influence through raising the issue of dog meat, the more we can reduce demand - to a point where President Moon Jae can stand on an anti-dog meat platform in future elections without being ridiculed. During the Korean War dogs were instrumental on the battlefield as scouts and as sentries - detecting threats and protecting American bases. For example, the 26th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon, trained at the Fort Riley, Kansas, was cited in General Orders in 1953 for saving countless lives via early detection, whilst the presence of dogs at bases undoubtedly lifted the spirits of Americans fighting on behalf of South Korea. The dogs of South Korea are no different to the pet dogs we have at home - in fact across Asia many dogs that arrive at market are stolen pets that still have their collars on. Imagine their confusion and heartbreak at being utterly betrayed by the
human race. We must stop this now and show our South Korean friends and their neighbors that the dog meat trade is a cruel, backward and highly contentious issue whose existence will not be tolerated if we are to further strengthen our existing friendships. (Michelle Hayward)
Please pass this resolution to end what is the most debased and inhuman acts that should make every human ashamed and horrified. As a person who has owned several dogs, I am amazed at their ability to protect, serve, and love their human companions and families. They are intelligent creatures who know how to love. They provide lifesaving skills to those who cannot do on their own (e.g. for the blind, handicap, and those with other crippling diseases). They go to war and fight battles side by side by their human counterparts. They fight and help to capture criminals and protect the officers who protect us all. It is a travesty and horrific act of malice by humans to kill them in such barbaric ways for economic wealth through the dog meat trade. How can humans be so inhumane? It is absolutely disgusting, sickening, and heartbreaking to see the photos of their demise. (Paulette Brown)
We all should be very proud of the South Korean activists who have taken the lead on this issue, and Los Angeles can take particular pride in the fact that its Councilmember David Ryu is not only South Korean but, as one of the most influential Korean American office holders in the country, is a firm supporter of the proposed resolution. His support is important and will not go unnoticed in South Korea. His fellow countrymen will know that he is sharing American
values with them and that they can trust the merits of the resolution presented to them. The kindness and humanity of these South Korean activists to man's best friend puts the people of
South Korea in a whole new and more favorable light which breaks down barriers between our countries, and the proposed resolution is an opportunity for Los Angeles to support these
efforts both abroad and at home and, in doing so, to bring us closer to each other across the continents and unite us as we fight world-wide for a kinder, gentler world for companion animals who are so helpless, so loyal to us, serve us so well, and trust us so implicitly. Los Angeles is fortunate to have such a broad consensus of support across its Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils in support of this resolution and also to have such outstanding Councilmembers as Mr. Ryu and also Mr. Bob Blumenfield. Mr. Blumenfield, by the way, is gaining recognition across all 50 states among those of us fighting for animal rights. The dog meat markets are horrifying and need to be shut down, and our country's historic ties with South Korea are strong enough and carry enough respect that there is good hope for a favorable response, which will put South Korea in the lead on this issue. Of all cities in our country, none enjoy better ties with South Korea than does Los Angeles, in terms of trade, tourism, and sister cities and sister rivers, and having a thriving South Korea community as
so honorably exemplified by Councilmember Ryu. Los Angeles is ideally positioned to take the lead here in America on this important issue. This is not a controversial issue, certainly not
here in America, and the tide is turning in Southeast Asia as well, but nowhere more so than in South Korea. The timing of the proposed resolution could not be better, and it presents an
excellent opportunity for Los Angeles to speak for American values. Many people both here and the world over have worked very hard for a very long time to bring the matter to this turning point, and they now lay all their hard work at the feet of the Los Angeles city council, with a request to carry it over the goal line. Please, listen to your VANC communities and to your fellow Councilmembers and unanimously PASS Resolution 19-0002-S101. (Kathleen Konicki)
Please support City Council Resolution CF-19-0002-S101, urging the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enact and enforce animal cruelty laws. These trusting and defenseless animals suffer extreme cruelty and torture until they eventually are killed in the most heart wrenching and sickening display of depraved human behavior towards animals. Please, these animals are our most loyal and loving companions and protectors. They provide us humans immeasurable benefits. They are partners to our military, first responders, search and rescue and law enforcement. Therapy
dogs provide emotional and physical assistance to our disabled and our veterans. This is NOT the way to repay them. These animals feel pain, fear and suffering just like people. (MaryAnn Frost)
Thank you for passing this resolution to help stop the brutal dog and cat meat trade in Asia/Southeast Asia. It’s way past time to stop barbaric practice. (Tessie Chua)
I beg you to stop the horrific torture in the Dog Meat Trade in China, S Korea etc. It is believed if you torture a dog before slaughter, it will enhance the taste of the meat. If you have not
followed please see Change.org also Yulan China Dog Meat Festival. Please watch Matt Damon....Stop the torture video on [YouTube]. You will not sleep another night. If you have any heart or conscience for an innocent companion animal, please fight this. Bludgeoned, burnt and skinned alive, hung, stabbed and boiled alive is only the beginning...watch and be aware. SILENCE IS Acceptance! Please HELP these innocent animals. (Doris Knight)
PLEASE HELP US to stop the terrible barbarism of the DOG CAT MEAT TRADE. DOGS ARE TORTURED TO DEATH in aberrant ways that no human being would be able to endure, burned, electrocuted, skinned, boiled and fried even while alive, this must stop for the good of humanity and for future generations of all land. (Maria De Los Angeles Martinez)
Please help end this cruel and evil practice. Man’s best friends don’t deserve this brutal horror inflicted on them by those they trust and treat with unconditional love. No animals deserve to live and die under such unspeakable cruelty, especially the animals that have been serving the human race for thousands of years and are serving us today in the military, as service dogs for the disabled, veterans with PTSD, sick children in hospitals, as earthquake and other natural disaster rescue team members, as invaluable partners to our peace officers and, of course, as loving family members to millions of families around the world. They deserve our compassion and protection. Please help put an end to the ultimate betrayal of these amazing innocent beings! Thank you for being their voice! (Nataly Kourabi)
I urge you to do whatever you can to help end the horrific cruelty to dogs currently taking place in China, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia. I realize there are many pressing issues going on in your district, and it's easy to look away from terrible things happening in distant lands, but man's best friend is suffering in unspeakable conditions. Please take some time to make a difference and help those who can't help themselves. (Ian Cohen)
I strongly support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws! Thank you for working to stop this cruelty. (Carol Lee)
To the South Korean Government: My letter to you today is of great importance. I urge you please to ban the dog and cat meat trade and bring into your country animal cruelty rights for all animals. I urge you also to help China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia to do the same. Please, we cannot stand to watch any more barbaric cruelty to these loving and innocent animals any longer. There is a strong outcry in the rest of the world about this so horrific cruelty that these beautiful animals go through and suffer horrendously. No living being should ever go through such barbarism. We plead with you to put yourselves in the animals’ positions... Believe me, after learning that these animals are boiled alive, I have difficulties when boiling food for myself and my family... No human has the right to torment and exploit any animal like this. PLEASE, show us that your country cares, we are counting on you and so are all these most beautiful, loving and compassionate animals. Mans' heart cannot be called human if he does not have a place for all animals in it... I thank you sincerely for your time and we applaud you in advance for this wonderful decision that we know you will make: To end the dog and cat meat trade forever! The world is waiting for this victorious day and we assure you that the world will look upon your nation with respect and honor! Thanking you once again. (V.C.)
I am writing as part of the international effort to end the dog meat & cat meat trades in Asia. I am particularly interested in actions in the US because of the twinning/sister city links with South Korea, a country that is failing to educate many of its citizens to overcome their superstitious belief in the use of dogmeat to help humans during the hottest part of the year. To make things worse, you will know already that it is believed that the more the animal suffers the better its meat will be. This leads to gross acts of barbarism which any civilized country should be ashamed of.
Unfortunately, there are no serious attempts by the S Korean authorities to uphold their own laws re. dog meat farms. Others will have supplied you with more detailed information which I
need not repeat, but please take all possible steps to reinforce the disgust felt by people around the world at the inhumane and mindless slaughter of millions of cats and dogs. This has nothing to do with culture or tradition as something to be venerated: we have kept quiet for too long about too many things, being afraid of being called cultural imperialists. This has no value if the tradition is not underpinned by genuine ethics which uphold the positive aspects of a community. Cruelty and superstition are negative and stop human progress. Asian countries that wish to carry on trading with other parts of the world should know that their country's name is blackened by association with cruelty, animal or human, and they face boycotts of their products, be it on a large scale or personal level. Thank you for your time. (Pamela Kelly)
Not only do animal victims deserve to be free from abuse and neglect, but numerous studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and violence toward people—animal cruelty impacts community safety. If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of
compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. (Betty Covington)
While I have no desire to dictate how other nations handle their internal affairs, nor do I overlook the many issues of animal welfare in the United States, I believe that we have a moral imperative to prevent egregious and excessive suffering not just of other humans but animals as well. (Larry Sessions)
[I]t is inhumane & the World is watching. (Candice-Lee)
GOD AND THE WORLD ARE WATCHING! (Janet Barnes)
I strongly support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws! This inhumane torture and slaughter of dogs and cats needs to end. It is not culture. It is being fueled with false beliefs of the meat benefits promoted by the Dog and Cat meat industry purely for greed. These animals deserve respect and compassion. The world is becoming aware of these atrocities and it is unacceptable and unnecessary. Thank you for working to stop this cruelty. (Bonnie Wong-Harano)
[H]ow, in this day in age, can it be believed that torturing a living, sentient being makes the meat more tender & brings some type of ridiculous "power" when eaten!? (Carolita McGee)
Never in my life have I suffered so much mentally knowing the suffering allowed to dogs/cats ever! To inflict such fear and pain and torture to animals is wrong. It is pure evil. Please stop this. Please. (Linda Badham)
My understanding is similar practices are condoned and commonly take place in Bali and the Philippines. I would also like to suggest that your resolution include a ban on the sale of cat meat in these nations as well. Like dogs, cats in the above-mentioned countries are callously and brutally tortured and murdered for food. Most of the cats captured are companion animals who end up in Asian food markets due to a lack of governmental protection and oversight. The time for Asian countries to eliminate the torture and killing of domesticated animals in the name of "culture" and "tradition" is LONG OVERDUE. (Michelle Sibinovic)
Are China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia civilized countries? Without the help of dogs, it would not have been possible for our far ancestors to change their nomadic way of life against a settled one. No dogs – no domesticated animal herds the dogs helped to defend against predators; no dogs – nobody to keep watch against enemies; no dogs – no aid in hunting. No cats – no one to defend crops against the onslaught of noxious rodents. Dogs and cats have been mankind’s LOYAL servants for thousands of years. We OWE dogs and cats a lot. It is about time we repay them a little bit of this debt in form of kindness or at least – mercy. So … are these civilizes countries? (Herbert Staniek)
Countless dog farms & slaughterhouses are scattered throughout, and they are hell on earth for the defenseless dogs & cats suffering there — Dogs & cats exist their entire lives in squalid,
feces-encrusted raised wire cages in utter misery only to be slaughtered in the most horrific of ways – by electrocution, a hammer blow to the neck, being hung or beaten, bleeding to death from a slashed throat, being burned to death from a blowtorch, or thrown into a vat of boiling water while still alive.
I have asked my fellow animal rights activists and advocates, time and time again, what can we do about Yulin, Yulan, the dog meat festivals in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, anywhere in the world they're taking place. We have all signed numerous petitions appealing to their governments to please stop this cruel and heinous crime against innocent dogs and cats. This is absolutely despicable and heartbreaking. A lot of the animals are stolen from their owners, and even if they’re not, they don't deserve to be victims of this very sick and disturbing practice. … I understand it's a different culture, but I don't understand the cruelty involved. It's ludicrous that the belief that "the meat will taste better the more tortured the animal." (L.A. Falkner)
Please keep up the great work of helping to end animal cruelty and specifically ending the barbaric practice of torturing dogs and eating dog meat. These animals are our best friends and deserve so much better. The thought of these innocent creatures who only want to love us being tortured makes most people sick to their stomachs. If South Korea steps up and stops this brutal treatment, then hopefully other countries will follow. (Gina Lauer)
Please stop eating dog meat, dogs were created to make your life better. Dogs have the kindest hearts and souls and design to make [your] life better...like will always be there and happy to see you. If you are lonely, they are the most loyal friend [you’ll] ever have, the unconditional love and never make judgement of who you are and what you have. They are all about LOVE! Dogs are the best, they help the blind, the scared, the lonely, the disabled, people suffering from depression and suffering, PTSD, they help kids with autism, give confidence to the people who have low self-esteem! Dogs ask for so little yet deserve so much! Please stop torturing and eating dogs, they are the best creatures to be by our side every step of our lives. Dogs are our little angels on earth! They deserve respect and protection from harm. #StopTheTorture (S. Kovacs)
Please vote to sever ties with Koreans and their evil treatment of dogs and cats! (Marty)
As a Los Angeles resident who cares about animal welfare, I have been deeply upset to learn about the animal cruelty inherent in the dog meat industry in China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia. I strongly support Resolution 19-0002-S101, which would ask the governments of these countries to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. Thank you for working to help put an end to this cruelty. (Ellen Waggoner)
Heartfelt thanks to all involved in this groundbreaking resolution. (Deborah)
I am so proud of my city and my state for standing up against such unimaginable cruelty and suffering, the dog meat trade in Asia. What these poor souls suffer, being boiled, skinned alive,
and so much more is purely unimaginable. I've waited and fought for us here, in the best country in the world, to take a stand against this vile slaughter. I'm so proud of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and Councilmember David Ryu for introducing a resolution in the Los Angeles city council asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal cruelty laws. Thank you and know that hundreds of thousands of people who know about this outrageous cruelty support you. I am one of them. (Marty Bostic)
The thought of being able to witness the end of this monstrous brutality in our lifetime brings tears of joy to my eyes. To all legislators supporting this resolution, you have my eternal gratitude and political support for your work and I’m sure the support of so many others who love animals. To see a city stand up for dogs thousands of miles away is an uplifting example of the very best of humanity confronting the very darkest parts of human nature. Thank you so much for your bravery and for leading the way to a world where innocence, love and kindness prevail and where the lives of these precious animals are protected. (Christianna Hartwell)
I write as a native of Los Angeles, as so many of my family are. My grandfather was a superior court judge back in the day and many of his descendants still live in the City. Know that while I cannot speak for all of them, I can speak for those who know about the dog and cat markets of southeast Asia: End the killing! Our closeness as a nation to South Korea demands that we urgently ask South Korea to end the killing; to set an example for China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. My thanks to the City Council for this pending resolution. (Dian Hardy)
The intentional and intense torture of dogs before or during a prolonged process of their slaughter in the dog meat industry is, by far, the most troubling issue that concerns me. Accordingly, I strongly support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. I hope you will also consider adding Laos and the Philippines to your list of animal torturers. (Alan Alpert)
I live in the UK. I have heard of your resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. So, I thank you LA for the stand that you are taking on behalf of all the civilized world! (Elaine Persell)
Dogs have been domesticated for millennia. They are loyal, trusting and loving. Many of us consider them members of our family. The idea of torturing, killing and consuming them is abhorrent. Hopefully, South Korea will ban this cruel practice and lead the way for its ban throughout Asia, including China, Vietnam and Cambodia. Thank you, city of Los Angeles, for passing this important and humane resolution. (Terri Gnazari)
Thank you and God for doing this. What they are doing over there is a slap in His face, to do these brutal sickening things to God’s lovely creatures. It is our responsibility to protect the innocent... and we will be judged by our humane treatment of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! (Stacy Yarbrough)
Please stand strong and support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. The world looks up to the great USA and if you have the courage and moral decency to do this, then the world will start to follow. Please speak for the voiceless, because you can, and you have the power. Thank you for working to stop this cruelty! Jacqui Yang)
I would like to express my gratitude and congratulations to LA City Council for taking the historical decision of tabling this resolution. Many around the world will be waiting with great expectancy for the outcome of tomorrow's vote, hoping that this might represent a decisive step forward towards ending the horrific cruelty of the dog meat trade. Thank you! (Clara Mancini)
Sincere thanks to those on the LA Council who assisted in bringing this vile industry to the world's attention. We in Australia are also pressing for these barbaric and uncivilized countries to heed the demand to join the 21st century. Some traditions simply MUST be outlawed - we don’t feed Christians to the lions anymore! China, in particular, is particularly unpalatable in the
fact that it employs no animal welfare laws at all. The fact that we have to implore these primitive countries to stop this brutal torture is appalling. We purchase the cars and white goods they manufacture for us, yet they kill our pets. Thank you again to the LA Council for passing this motion. We will never stop protesting this abominable cruelty, which brings such unparalleled sorrow to so many of the world’s citizens. (Rachel Davies)
I strongly support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. Thank you for working to stop this cruelty! (Jessica Chan)
I support the council's resolution to stop the dog meat trade in SE Asia. Keep up the pressure to stop this brutal trade. Thank you. (May-Ling Trushell)
Animal cruelty is a crime in many places around the world and it should also be in Asia. Dogs are amazing and very intelligent, they are helping blind kids and elders to walk because they guide them, they are helping humans who are having seizures alerting them when one is coming, dogs are also helping people coping with depression. Dogs are making humans to have friends because they are very sociable creatures, dogs have an unconditional love and
loyalty for every one of their family members. DOGS ARE WONDERFUL CREATURES and FAMILY MEMBERS, they deserve respect, love and care like any human or member of a
community. Those people killing dogs for food should know that dogs are not food and every one of those dogs feel pain, emotions, fear, love. Every dog they are killing feel pain and those humans are eating the dog's pain. (Mercedes Caraco)
I’ve watched all the graphic videos of the sadistic cruelty these dogs suffer!!!! It’s evil and it HURTS my heart and soul so much, it is traumatic!!! … I’m just a woman who has so much love and compassion for dogs but I’m still ASKING/BEGGING you to LISTEN to my voice (dogs don’t have a voice but just look into their eyes and see the suffering that your people inflict on these innocent souls) and PLEASE STOP/BAN this horrific cruel trade! Thank you. (Maria Birch)
Until these things are done Korea’s reputation in the international community will deservedly suffer. Americans love their companion animals, dogs and cats alike. But it is not only for that reason we feel a special obligation to speak out on this issue. It is also that we remember well our many loved ones whose lives were sacrificed in your country ensuring your freedom and are mindful of the considerable treasure our country continues to spend for that same purpose. We can only pray that so much sacrifice has been worth the cost. Until the illegal dog meat and cat medicine industries have been finally abolished in Korea, I will boycott all Korean products and companies. (Afsaneh Rahmani)
I will boycott travel to South Korea and all Korean products until this horrible industry is stopped! (Denise Anzelmo)
Use the trading power of America and England to stop this EVER happening again. Use trade sanctioning power to stop this awful disgusting inhuman practice. In an educated world it unbelievable beyond reason that this is still happening.
[T]hank you from the bottom of my heart for starting this resolution. What is happening in Asia is a disgrace to everything civilized, that man's best friend (and cats as well) who have saved
our lives over thousands of years, been a part of our families, been our protectors and companions as well as friends, are being killed off for a sick pleasure. Dog and cat eating should not be allowed in this day and age and it must end. If these countries do not cease
to do this, then we in the West should make moves to boycott their products. (Jack)
In this day such cruelty and barbaric acts needs to stop. This is affecting the countries tourism and value. Time to end and have humanity back in this world. (J. Millward-Croft)
Dogs/cats are companions to people. Dogs/cats visit sick people in hospitals. Dogs help walk blind people. Dogs help the military and law enforcement. Dogs/cats feel pain and dream in their sleep. Dogs/cats are NOT food. Perhaps we should suspend military aid to South Korea???? Increase tariffs on ALL Asian countries that torture and consume dogs and cats, not to mention horses???? (Stephen Zaharias)
I respectfully request that our ally South Korea stop killing and torturing dogs, a practice which is abhorrent to the vast majority of humanity throughout the world. (Shirley Brink)
Why isn't the torture and brutal killing of these millions of helpless dogs considered MURDER??? … Dogs are HEROES, they are POLICE, they SAVE LIVES!!!! They are companion animals for people with emotional disorders and the BLIND!!!! They were at 9-11 at the search and rescue for months trying to sniff out remains!!! They are highly intelligent, sensitive, devoted, unconditionally loving, they fear, they feel, they are warm blooded beings that bleed red just like humans, they are BEAUTIFUL and PRECIOUS creatures from God!! … I think Gandhi said it best, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." (Julie Pera)
I strongly support the resolution 19-0002-S101 asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal protection laws. Thank you for working to stop this cruelty! (Julie Huynh)
These animals didn't deserve to ever be treated in such a manner. Perhaps your resolution will be the turning point to end their plight. Their lives are important. Thank you so much for caring. (Lesley)
Please, end the brutality and superstitious belief that bludgeoned dog meat gives some form of ludicrous strength & power. This is the 21st century and we do not want our youth learning, being exposed to and a part of inhumane, barbaric acts of cruelty towards animals that we have grown up loving … (Candice-Lee)
They are living beings who have no choice or voice to fight against the pain and torment they are going through, please be their voice. (Melanie Castino)
We must speak out in defense of those helpless, voiceless souls suffering mercilessly. (Mary Wright)
I have signed numerous petitions regarding this, along with many thousands of people, but nothing will happen until larger entities like yourselves condemn such actions. (Gary Smith)
This is a major step forward - worldwide awareness and acknowledgement of the need for animal welfare as a priority, is long overdue. (Zoe Day)
I strongly support this resolution asking the governments of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia to ban the sale of dog meat and to enforce their animal cruelty laws! Thank you for working to stop this cruelty. (Giny Woo)
See also the personal account of Giny Woo. As a child in South Korea, her family’s dog disappeared, likely taken by the dog meat trade. See this link. Giny has devoted her life to trying to stop the dog meat trade, through her organization Korean Dogs.
The organization Last Chance for Animals has also been working to stop the dog meat trade. See their webpage here.
Please also note that there will be a demonstration outside the South Korean Consulate at 3243 Wilshire Blvd on Friday July 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the organization Save Korean Dogs. For details see this link.
The messages above, as well as the hundreds of other messages contained in the City Council File, are directed to the Consuls General and Ambassadors of China, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Cambodia, and any other countries that still allow the dog meat trade. The dog meat trade has no place among the people of the civilized world. It is time to end the suffering and torture of the dog meat trade!
Addendum:
Some videos of the dog meat trade in China, Vietnam, and South Korea (in increasing order of how graphic they are) are as follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goDx7_DdRiE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJnp87OSn58
https://fightdogmeat.com/videos-south-korea-graphic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMAbbFUiUTo (Lisa Vanderpump and Dr. John Sessa, who have been fighting against the dog meat trade for years)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjbWQAASPcs (ABC News in China)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLlzdY33tZc (Marc Ching, who has been fighting against the dog meat trade for years/LA Weekly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C406IVEPqF4&list=PLmrSN5nuJgSKE1RQzC2sjFKwgguCMDnFF (Last Chance for Animals and South Korean Animal Liberation Wave)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOMQf1nizSk (Vietnamese Dog Slaughterhouse)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc-Zo15BJFU (Chinese Dog Slaughterhouse, Requires YouTube age verification to view)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZVQjgGb4RQ&has_verified=1 (South Korean Dog Meat Industry Part 1 of 2 – Requires YouTube age verification to view)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivHffcM5B6w (South Korean Dog Meat Industry Part 2 of 2 – Requires YouTube age verification to view)
(Jeffrey Mausner (see https://mausnerlaw.com/ ) is the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils Liaison to the Los Angeles Animal Services Department, a Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate, 2nd Vice President of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council and Chair of its Animal Welfare Committee, and a Volunteer at the West Valley Animal Shelter. He is a retired attorney and law school professor and was formerly a Federal Prosecutor for the U.S. Justice Department.) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
