In a gold medal-worthy move for animal rights, Olympic figure skater Meagan Duhamel rescued Moo-tae, a miniature dachshund mix destined to be on someone’s dinner plate, from slaughter in S. Korea’s notoriously cruel dog meat trade.
Last year while competing in PyeongChang at the Four Continents figure skating championship, Duhamel, an animal lover and vegan, met Moo-tae and took him home to Toronto. To say Moo-tae is adjusting well to his new life would be an understatement. Duhamel told the Associated Press that Moo-tae is “like a saint,” and “just wants to sit in everybody’s arms.” The rescue, organized through Free Korean Dogs, was a success story, though other dogs awaiting adoption still need volunteers flying from South Korea to Canada to escort them to new homes. Duhamel will be doing just that on her return flight from competing in the 2018 Olympic games.
The South Korean dog and cat meat trade are being pushed into the global eye now more than ever thanks to the 2018 Winter Olympics taking place this week in PyeongChang.
2018 Olympics Scorecard for Animals, Environment and Social Justice – The Marks Aren’t High
Up to 2.5 million dogs are bred each year in South Korean dog meat farms. They are often neglected, abused, and kept in small wire cages the majority of their lives. Awaiting them is a brutal death in a slaughterhouse. (Though let’s not forget — pigs, chickens other animal species suffer similar life and death conditions, even here in the U.S. and Canada.)
As pet ownership increases, more and more people in South Korea are turning against eating dog and cat meat. Meanwhile, nonprofits around the world — including Lady Freethinker — are working hard to raise awareness globally and end the trade.
How you can help
Though it may be difficult to feel empowered to make a difference from across the globe, there are things you can do to help end this horrific practice. Signing petitions like the one below, spreading the word, donating to organizations working to end this brutal practice, and even flying a dog over from the other side of the world will help!
Sign: Ban Dog and Cat Meat Before the Winter Olympics in S. Korea
Thank you for being so kind.
Thank you so much for rescuing Moo-tae. You have a heart of GOLD. May you and Moo-tae be very happy together. God bless you both.
You are truly a hero and champion, Ms. Duhamel. Thank you very much for saving this dog from certain doom and for bringing more of an awareness of this awful plight. I wish there were more Olympic competitors with a heart like yours. God bless you.
All l can say is thank you thank you thank you god bless
Hi Peggy Hill, You could do an internet search. It will depend on where you live. This is for the UK. http://savekoreandogs.org/
Tout à fait d’accord avec vos propos. Moi aussi je hais ces races de jaunes, je les deteste profondemlent, ce sont des assassins et barbares cruels induportables !!
Stop à la viande chien dans toute l’asie !!!! Ces assassins qui font bouillir vivants ces pauvres chiens, ou brulés vif, ou dépeçés vivants me hante, et m’empéchera le reste de mes jours à avoir un bonheur absolu !! Je pense chaque jour à ces suppliciés qui subissent l’horreur et l’indicible face à des ordures barbares retardés mentaux cruels !!!!!!
Where do I get info. about getting a dog from South Korea.
As far as dog meat consumers I agree…but N.Korea is more deserving of those comments…
Yay! for Meghan Duhamel for bringing more awareness in an effective way and others can follow her too.
Thank you Meghan Duhamel for adopting sweet Moo- tae and for escorting other dogs on their flight to freedom.
Another message for Megan, thank u for doing this
I refuse watch Olympics since they host it and they don’t give fuck about poor animals. I’m glad it is out of the bag, we are watching you.
Shame on the Olympic Committee for granting S.Korea for the Winter Olympics 2018. Apparently, they do not care that this country, as well as other Asian countries, torture cats and dogs before killing them, for their dog/cat meat market. I support the athletes, but that is it. The world knows what these Asian countries are doing to the animals, but now S.Korea is,trying to hide their dirty secret by changing their menus in resturants, so tourists do not see what was on the menu…but are they still duped into thinking they are not eating dogs and cats. I do not trust those sleezy, lying bastards.
Happy you got a home Moo-Tae. Nice Lady and mommy ! Want homes for all of them !
What a very sad world. Please stop this and save all dogs and cats and animals ! Go vegan ! Stop hurting animals !
What a sad world. The cruelty is everywhere. It is always so uplifting to hear of a kindness. Thank you.
Such evil, depraved people in South Korea. Disgusting, sadistic hellhole!!!!
I can never accept this abhorrent practice. Hideous people that would do this to animals should be punished. Talk about abuse! KARMA will get these people. Good on Meagan for what she is doing in saving a dog for a 2nd time. They will be by her side for life. South Korea is no different to North Korea, in that they have some terrible people running the country.
Thanku Meagan Duhamel for rescuing Moo tae and for your decision to fly another dog back to Canada. If only I could do that. But alas I can’t.Thanku Lady Freethinker and others like you who are working to bring world attention to the dog and cat meat trade. I am glad that the winter Olympics are in South Korea because it is bringing world attention to this terrible injustice suffered by these poor fur babies. 🐶🐕🐩🐱🐈🐾
I hope this does become aware and more rescued and stopped completely bless you for helping this fur baby and many more are yet tok be saved please we still need to voice it to the world and the Olympics is the place toi start and I pray that something comes of it
Thank you for saving this sweet dog. I am a big animal lover and I know that dogs are not meant to be eaten and if I could do more for them, I would. But I am so grateful for you saving this sweet dog.
Hooray for Meghan! Have always enjoyed your (and your partner”s pairs skating). Thank you for saving this dog and being a force for animal rights and justice. Good luck in the Olympics!