Honorable Officials of the Republic of Korea:

I respectfully ask the Korean government to not amend the Animal Protection Law of 1991 to classify some dog breeds as livestock and others as companions.

The distinction between "pet animals" and food-source animals merely allows the consumptive use of certain dogs and cats. Those bred as family companions are protected, while other dogs and cats — if purposefully raised for food or medicine — are not.

This draft law undoes humane policies established in 1991. In fact, it allows any animal abuser to bypass punishment by simply claiming the abused dog or cat was intended for meat or medicine.

This law turns a blind eye on the cruelty inherent in the dog/cat consumption trade: Prolonged beatings, dismemberment, hangings, live boiling, and more brutal customs thought to enhance flavor and potency.

Moreover, if Korea enacts this amendment, it becomes the only nation to openly permit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human ingestion. I urge Korean officials to cease all efforts to legalize this vile trade. Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines have banned dog meat. Most Koreans do not consume dogs and cats. Why does Korea continue to sacrifice its integrity and global image to appease a minority interest?

Please enforce animal protection laws that afford ALL dogs and cats immunity under pet animals. Please explicitly outlaw the killing of any of these animals for food or medicine.

Thank you,