The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on October 11 that, as it compiles the implementation status of dog farm closures ahead of the full ban on dog meat consumption starting next February, 1,339 out of 1,537 dog farms nationwide, or 87%, had closed as of September 21.

This figure is about 30% higher than the initially planned cumulative target of 1,030 closed farms.

The ministry attributes the accelerated closures to differential support payments for early-closing farms and special summer inspections.

The scale of breeding has also decreased significantly.

When farms submitted their closure implementation plans in August 2024, they reported breeding approximately 468,000 dogs, but the number of dogs currently remaining is estimated at about 7,600.

The ministry plans to conduct special winter inspections across all dog farms from next month through December to check whether closed farms are resuming breeding and to verify the closure implementation status of non-closed farms.

In addition, to protect dogs left behind due to owners relinquishing ownership, the ministry will prepare protection and management plans that take into account factors such as breed, size, age, and socialization.

This comes as the breeding,-breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and selling of dogs for human consumption will be completely banned starting February 7 of next year under the Special Act on the Prohibition of Dog Consumption.

Lee Yong-jik, Director General for Animal Welfare Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We will manage the closure of remaining farms without a hitch and thoroughly prepare for issues regarding remaining dogs that may arise after the end of the industry."

(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Yonhap News)