South Korea’s parliament on Tuesday, January 9, banned the breeding, sl@ughter and sale of dogs for human consumption, putting an end to a centuries-old practice.
The law put an end to the distribution and sale of food products made or processed with dog ingredients, according to the corresponding committee of the National Assembly.
However, customers who consume dog meat or related products will not be subject to puni§hment – meaning the law would largely target those working in the industry such as dog farmers or sellers, CNN reports.
Under the bill, anybody sl@ughtering a dog for food can be puni§hed by up to three years in prison or fined up to 30 million Korean won (about $23,000), the report add.
Anyone who breeds dogs for eating, or who knowingly acquires, transports, stores or sells food made from dogs, also faces a lower fine and prison time.
Farm owners, dog meat restaurants and other workers in the dog trade will have a three-year grace period to close or change their business, according to the committee. Local governments will be required to support those business owners to “stably” transition to other businesses.
