Saved from the pot
Dogs rescued from Korean farm hell arrive in Britain
THIRTEEN dogs saved from being eaten in South Korea have arrived safely in the UK.
They were destined for restaurant tables until a team from animal charity the Humane Society International flew out to close the farm in which they were held.
Towie star Pete Wicks, who joined them on the mission, was at Heathrow to welcome the pups who will find new homes here.
He said: “Nothing prepared me for how dreadful these farms are.
“Endless rows of dogs shivering on freezing metal bars with a look of utter hopelessness in their eyes.
“Helping close down that hellish place was one of the proudest experiences of my life.”
Pete had an emotional reunion with retriever Henry, beagle Jack and mongrels Lucie, George, Tory, Rocky, Bella, Chris, Adam, Mocha, Abbie, Lucy and Leila. They were among 170 dogs saved. The rest will go to Canada and the US.
On the farm they were confined to filthy cages in Namyangju, a two-hour drive from where South Korea will host next month’s Winter Olympics.
It is one of an estimated 17,000 farms across the country which breed more than 2.5 million dogs a year to be eaten.
Killing methods are brutal and lengthy – usually involving electrocution or being hanged at the market, slaughterhouse or restaurant. Claire Bass, of Humane Society International, was part of the rescue team and is now adopting Henry. She said: “Our farm closures shine a spotlight on this cruelty and support the vibrant campaign by South Koreans to end the trade. Most of them don’t regularly eat dog meat and the majority of young people have never tasted it.” HSI has so far shut 10 dog meat farms in partnership with farmers eager to leave the trade. More than 1,200 animals have been saved.