Kim Dong-yeon: "Gyeonggi Province, First Government Organization to Establish 'Animal Welfare Bureau,' Will Lead the Way"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Noh-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon announced the discovery of an illegal dog meat farm in Gwangju and pledged to "create a happy Gyeonggi Province where people and their pets can live together."

Governor Kim posted on SNS that "multiple animal carcasses and dozens of neglected dogs were found at a dog meat farm in Gwangju, and we are investigating the farm owner." He added, "Dozens of animal bones were discovered in one section of the farm. The dogs on site were immediately examined for health conditions, and we are coordinating with Gwangju City to provide protection for them."

He further stated, "While enforcement is important, we must foster a culture of pet adoption rather than buying and selling pets. Gyeonggi Province, which has established the first 'Animal Welfare Bureau' within a government organization, will take the lead in this effort."

The following is the full text of Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

<Creating a Gyeonggi Province where residents and pets can live happily together>

To prevent a recurrence of incidents like the 'Yangpyeong Scrap Yard Animal Abuse' case where approximately 1,200 dogs were starved to death, I have ordered crackdown operations by the 'Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit.'

Just four days after issuing this order, we uncovered a horrific animal abuse site.

We discovered multiple animal carcasses and dozens of neglected dogs at a dog meat farm in Gwangju and are investigating the farm owner.

Dozens of animal bones were discovered in one section of the farm. The dogs on site were immediately examined for health conditions, and we are coordinating with Gwangju City to provide protection for them.

As a result of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit's active intervention, we were able to prevent further abuse.

I deeply thank the resident who reported this case. We ask all residents to immediately report any cases of animal abuse they become aware of.

In Gyeonggi Province, 17% of all households live with pets. We have the largest number of pets in the entire nation.

Dogs bred indiscriminately for profit often meet tragic fates or are killed if they do not sell while young. While enforcement is important, we must foster a culture of pet adoption rather than buying and selling pets. Gyeonggi Province, which has established the first 'Animal Welfare Bureau' within a government organization, will take the lead in this effort.

Animal Abuse Report: Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031)120

Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit website www.gg.go.kr/gg_special_cop