With the Special Act on the Prohibition of Raising, Slaughtering, and Distributing Dogs for Consumption (Dog Meat Consumption Prohibition Act) set to take effect in February next year, operators in the so-called dog meat industry have reportedly filed administrative lawsuits against local governments seeking compensation for business losses.

According to local governments in Daejeon and the legal community today (August 20), six restaurant owners serving dog meat in the Daedeok-gu district of Daejeon filed a lawsuit with the Daejeon District Court on the 24th of last month, seeking the cancellation of the Daedeok-gu district office's decision to reject their claims for business loss compensation.

They are reportedly arguing that because the Special Act effectively strips them of business rights maintained for decades, authorities should calculate and pay separate, fair compensation for losses in addition to the closure or transition subsidies offered by the government.

Such moves have emerged not only in Daedeok-gu but also in four out of five autonomous districts in Daejeon, including Yuseong-gu (four plaintiffs), Dong-gu (three plaintiffs), and Jung-gu (one plaintiff).

A search of court case records confirms there are at least 14 plaintiffs.

The lawsuits have been assigned to the 1st and 2nd Administrative Divisions of the Daejeon District Court.

The main purpose of the Act is to ban the raising, breeding, or slaughter of dogs for consumption, as well as the distribution and sale of food cooked or processed using dogs or dog ingredients as raw materials.

Slaughtering dogs for consumption is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, while raising, breeding, or distributing them carries a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The law also requires dog farm owners, dog meat slaughter and distribution merchants, and restaurant owners to report their facilities and business details to the heads of local governments, while allowing the national government or local authorities to support the closure or career transition of reporting businesses.

Regarding the implementation of the law, which passed the National Assembly in 2024, authorities provided a three-year grace period until February 2027.

This is to grant sufficient time for the industry to prepare for closure or business conversion.

Local governments have also stated their policy to minimize the shock to restaurant owners by focusing on smooth transitions rather than maintaining an unregulated industry.

According to the Basic Plan for Ending Dog Meat Consumption announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in October 2024, raising, slaughtering, distributing, and selling dogs for consumption will be banned starting February 2027 under the law, obligating currently operating businesses to transition or close.

Under the regulations, businesses that close are provided up to 4 million won for costs such as store demolition and restoration, while those changing their menu or the type of meat they handle receive up to 2.5 million won.

However, Daejeon district officials noted that some restaurant owners had previously filed civil complaints demanding separate business loss compensation, arguing that current support measures are insufficient.

In response, the responsible departments rejected the payments because there is no explicit provision in the special act requiring separate compensation for business losses, prompting these individuals to fight back through administrative lawsuits.

An official from a local government in Daejeon stated, "We have provided the maximum administrative assistance within the support criteria. It is difficult to accept demands outside of regulations that require spending public taxes in the process of implementing a law enacted based on public purpose and social consensus."

Furthermore, given that the legal grounds for licensing dog meat businesses have historically been weak, experts observe that it will be difficult to directly apply legal principles regarding loss compensation for general infringements on business rights.

Such lawsuits are reportedly taking place not only in Daejeon but also in other regions across the country.

The legal representatives for the plaintiffs in Daejeon have been confirmed to be a major law firm with its main office in Seoul.

Each autonomous district in Daejeon stated that they will appoint legal counsel and actively respond to the lawsuits.