Labrador Rescued From South Korean Meat Trade Finds New Home in UK
A dog adopted by a UK family was saved from a brutal trade where animals are raised in cramped conditions and slaughtered for meat.
A yellow Labrador named Maisie, adopted by a family in the UK, was rescued from the meat trade in South Korea, where dogs are raised in unsanitary conditions and killed in ways intended to tenderize their meat. The dog's new owner, Winifred Robinson, discovered the animal's past when browsing for a new pet after her own Labrador, William, died of cancer.
Robinson found the dog, then named Maum, advertised online in late 2022. The ad led her to The Dog Team UK, a charity founded in 2017 by Louise Trevatt and friends to rescue dogs from the South Korean meat trade. Trevatt noted that while she had some prior awareness of the trade, seeing evidence on social media compelled her to act. The charity works with individuals in South Korea who rescue dogs from farms and shelters, fostering them until they can be rehomed in Western countries.
Dogs in South Korea are raised for meat and also for the pet trade, often in cramped, unsanitary cages. Reports indicate that up to a million dogs are killed annually in South Korea. A belief persists that the adrenaline released during cruel slaughter methods, such as hanging or bludgeoning, tenderizes the meat. Abandoned pets and those from breeding programs also face risks, with some being adopted from pounds only to be killed and eaten.
Maum was part of a group of six dogs flown from Incheon International Airport in Seoul to the UK. Upon arrival, the dogs underwent quarantine, including vaccinations, neutering, microchipping, and deworming, as per UK law. Trevatt and her volunteers met the dogs, providing comfort and care.
Robinson and her husband met Trevatt to collect Maum, whose name was later changed to Maisie. She initially exhibited fear of men and other dogs, requiring patient training with the support of a behavior specialist. Maisie has since settled into a more relaxed demeanor.
In a development for animal welfare, the South Korean government voted to begin phasing out dog meat farms and restaurants by 2024. This decision comes as the profitability of the trade has declined, particularly among younger generations. However, concerns remain about the welfare of thousands of dogs still on farms when the transition is fully implemented.