For the past five years, one slaughterhouse in Viet Nam killed “10 to 15 dogs every day.” He finally decided to close his dog meat business down after joining Humane Society International’s Models for Change program. The program has helped people transition out of the dog meat trade.
According to Humane Society International (HSI), the animal welfare organization rescued the 18 dogs after Mr. Heip from Viet Nam’s Thai Nguyen province, decided to permanently close down his business. He is now planning to trade the dog meat business to agricultural services with the help of Viet Nam’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Health.
…In my heart I know that killing and eating dogs is wrong and it was becoming harder and harder for me to do it. I am convinced that being part of this trade was bringing my family bad karma, so I man relieved to work with HSI in Vietnam to end this chapter in my life and start afresh.
Mr Heip
Since the start of the program which began in Viet Nam after a successful initiative in South Korea, 17 dog meat farms have been shuttered and 2,500 dogs have been rescued. The program continues to help owners of slaughterhouses to transition to new businesses.
When HSI arrived to remove the dogs left at Heip’s farm, they discovered puppies locked up in cages being fattened up for slaughter.
All of the dogs have since been vaccinated against rabies and distemper. They have been relocated to temporary shelter where they are being vetted and given special care. Once they are deemed healthy, they will be available for adoption both locally and abroad.
Phuong Tham, HSI country director in Viet Nam is proud of the progress.
We are very proud to bring our Models for Change program to Viet Nam. The dog meat trade is not only unbelievably cruel, but also poses a very grave risk to human health from the transmission of potentially lethal diseases like rabies. Mr. Hiep is the first of what we hope will be many more people to leave this dangerous trade behind them…
HSI
Viet Nam kills more dogs for meat than any other country in Southeast Asia. In most other countries in Asia, the majority of people do not eat dog meat, in Viet Nam the custom remains popular with people still believing that dog meat has medicinal properties and can increase male virility.
(Photos via FB from HSI. Credit to Chau Doan for HSI)
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