Olympian Gus Kenworthy Rescues Dogs From Korean Meat Farm
Four years ago, Olympian Gus Kenworthy rescued dogs from Russia. Now in Korea he writes on Instragram: "New Olympics. Same me."
American Olympian skier Gus Kenworthy is rescuing even more dogs, this time from a meat farm in Korea. Previously, he rescued five strays and adopted two others in Sochi, Russia, not far from where the 2014 Olympics were held, according to Jezebel.
On Instagram, Kenworthy detailed how he and his boyfriend toured one of South Korea’s 17,000 dog meat farms last week.
“Across the country, there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable,” Kenworthy wrote on his Instagram. “Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while don't personally agree with it, I do agree that it's not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty. I was told that the dogs on this particular farm were kept in "good conditions" by comparison to other farms. The dogs here are malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions.”
The Olympian went on to describe that when the dogs are killed they are often killed by electrocution. Kenworthy wrote that it often takes 20 minutes for the dogs to die and the process is typically done in front of other dogs.
“These dogs are no different from the ones we call pets back home. Some of them were even pets at one time and were stolen or found and sold into the dog meat trade,” he wrote.
Kenworthy and his boyfriend, who live in Colorado, adopted at least one dog from Korea. Her name is Beemo.
Kenworthy is now working with the Humane Society International to get the meat farm shut down and to find homes for the other 90 dogs that have been rescued, according to KDVR.
[Photo: Instagram]