President Kim Jong Un donated 30 pedigree dogs to the Pyongyang Central Zoo canine display. The zoo exhibit displays pedigree dogs the same as wild animals. Its reported that last month Kim Jong Un ordered “pet dogs” to be confiscated in the country’s capital Pyongyang, because pet dogs are decadent and part of a tainted trend of bourgeouis ideology.

The report says confiscated pet dogs will be taken for display at the capital’s Pyongyang Central Zoo. Its reported that the canine center is one of the most popular attractions at the zoo. Posters are displayed next to dog cages explaining how to care and feed ‘canine companions.’ The zoo also has a feline display, exhibiting domestic cats.

North Korean pet dog owners are reportedly distraught and fearing their loved pets will “end up in one of North Korea’s many dog meat restaurants,” says a South Korean newspaper. In stark contrast, dogs donated to the canine display by Kim Jong Un include: Poodles, Chihuahuas, Schnauzers, German Shepherds, Shih tzus, Saint Bernards, Bulldogs and more.

Over the last few years pet dog owners began walking dogs on leashes in the capital city Pyongyang, and surrounding cities. Up until last month it was unknown how Kim Jong Un felt about this. Kim Jong Un is targeting high ranking officials and wealthy individuals by confiscating their expensive pet dogs in the capital city, which he says causes unrest for lower income individuals who cannot affords such decadence. North Korea’s dictator is against capitalism.

Dog Meat In North Korea

Dog meat is nothing new in North Korea. For years households in the city have been breeding dogs in appalling conditions specifically to sell for meat for extra income. Dog owners recommend having at least two pups competing with each other for food, making them so hungry they will eat almost anything and even cheaper to sustain.

Puppies are bought in early spring and kept alive on a poor diet of ground corn and soy pulp (the residue after making bean curd.) By late autumn the pups will be for sale as large dogs where the money earned is used for buying firewood for the winter. Dogs are a commodity so most North Korean dog owners do not slaughter and eat their own dogs; their dogs are sold for profit.

President Kim Jong Un often refers to dog meat as his country’s “national food.” However, past defectors form North Korea confirmed dog meat to be twice as expensive as other meats and only available to higher income people such as government officials and not everyday citizens.

North Korea is always in the grip of food shortages. Sadly some of the confiscated dogs may end up as dog meat in some of North Korea’s many dog meat restaurants. North Korea even has a franchise of dog meat restaurants, known as the House of Sweet Meat.

In previous years I have written about North Korea a number of times. Fight Dog Meat will continue to bring you reports from dog and cat meat countries and the wonderful work their rescuers are doing despite no animal protection laws. Turning away or sitting quietly does not end the trade. We’ll keep exposing what is taking place to these animals. We’re helping local volunteers have a louder voice on a world platform. Ultimately it’s the voice of the country’s own people whom their government will eventually be forced to listen to, for positive change for animals.

Thank you for reading,

Michele Brown
Founder,
Fight Dog Meat.

Due to Covid-19 flight cancellations Fight Dog Meat has a number of rescued meat dogs in hospital and in rehabilitation in Vietnam. Until international flights start up again we’re under great financial strain to maintain our rescued animals. FDM is still accepting critically injured meat dogs; if we don’t they will die! Many of our dogs have some of the worst injuries in the meat trade. Please consider helping us during this special time.