South Korea’s parliament has passed a bill banning the breeding and slaughtering of dogs raised to produce meat for human consumption, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports.
The bill also bans the distribution of dog meat for commercial purposes. Those slaughtering dogs for meat may face up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 mln won ($22,800). The bill establishes a three-year transitional grace period during which penalties would not be imposed.
The newspaper notes, however, that the bill does not provide penalties for eating dog meat.
As many as 208 lawmakers voted for the bill and two abstained. The initiative was backed by the ruling party and the leading opposition party.
According to South Korean authorities, about 1,150 dog breeding farms, some 34 dog slaughtering entities and around 1,600 public catering establishments serving dog meat currently operate in South Korea.
