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Eating Happiness – The Brutal, Ugly Truth About the Dog Meat Trade in China, Vietnam and South Korea

by Jennie Richards · Published August 8, 2018 · Updated July 20, 2021

“China is in a civil war over canines.” ~ Sarah Brownlee

Eating Happiness is the first call-to-action documentary film exposing the truth about dog meat consumption in Asia and the brutal mistreatment of dogs for dog meat. Director and producer Genlin takes viewers through the back streets and alleys and through the rural villages of Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and China to uncover the brutal violence, trafficking and treatment of dogs in the Asian dog meat.

Eating Happiness reveals the fact that 30 million dogs are killed annually in Asia, and as alarming, is over 70 percent of those slaughtered for food are stolen family pets. The film exposes the brutal and unconscionable practices that are associated with the consumption of dog meat in Asia including the cruel theft of dogs from their homes and from the streets, the grueling transport to the slaughterhouse, how dogs are tortured before their death, and the horrifically inhumane methods of slaughter.

Audiences will see rare undercover investigative footage of the miserable and inhumane conditions dogs and their puppies must endure on South Korean dog farms as well as disturbing interviews with business owners who make their livelihood selling products made from dog body parts. The film highlights the stories of impassioned animal activists who are stopping trucks laden with thousands of stolen dogs prior to reaching the slaughterhouse, as well as the inspirational heroism of one female activist who single-handedly cares for 3,200 dogs she has rescued from dinner tables.

Eating Happiness uncovers the relationship between humans and dogs in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, China and the United States. The film has received widespread support in the animal welfare community including a resounding endorsement from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI). Eating Happinesswill undoubtedly awaken and move film viewer’s hearts as well as educate millions worldwide, to add to the collective voice to stop this horrific and unconscionable practice through legislation.

Film Launch: October, 2015

Film Length: 1 Hour, 30 minutes

The Honest Truth About the Dog Meat Trade (ABC News, nongraphic)

More About the Film

Learn more about the film and about the dog meat trade

Contact Eating Happiness via email at: [email protected]

Visit World Dog Alliance

Follow World Dog Alliance at: @world_dog_alliance

About the Dog-Meat Trade

Millions of dogs are stolen, tortured and slaughtered for consumption every year in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The majority of dogs and cats are stolen off the streets, and from homes and are people’s beloved pets. Why are they stolen? Stealing pets provides a healthier and better cared for animal than those that are farmed because the raising of dogs and cats costs money. Dogs and cats that are raised on farms experience severe neglect, live in abhorrent and miserable conditions, are depraved of food, water and medicines, are raised in isolation without human contact, and are transported to slaughter in the cruelest of ways, crammed into wire cages on top of each other, where many die in transport on the way to their death. When they arrive at live animal markets and slaughter locations, the animals are despicably and deliberately tortured to cause as much pain and suffering as possible. The Chinese, Vietnamese, and Koreans think that it will make the meat taste better – born from complete ignorance, stupidity and spite. It belongs to the deep-rooted hatred for the animals that started in 1928, when the Qing Dynasty ended and the Kuomintang (KMT) Nationalist Party came into power from 1928 to 1949. Out of spite for the Manchus in the Qing Dynasty the KMT would boil dogs alive to spite them — their political predecessors. Then decades later under the communists, Chairman Mao ordered the mass execution of dogs, declaring them unclean and representative of the rich elite. What followed was the mass annihilation of millions of dogs, that just extended the deep-rooted hatred that continues to this day. This horrifically cruel and unconscionable, vile dog meat trade was born out of a political ideology and perversion that occurred in the 20^thcentury. It’s not about culture, it’s about hatred. And the communist authoritarian government(s) have been unwilling to address the collective condemnation, outrage and horror expressed by the international community and international governments.

We must demand the end of this gruesome, appalling, unspeakable trade, and demand that China, Vietnam and South Korea come into the 21^stcentury and stop with the “cultural” excuses and stamp out the barbaric, cruel practice that cannot live in a civilized society and are simply – intolerable.

The time has come for all people from every nation as well as Asian nations to stand up, speak out loudly, and demand these Southeast Asian governments ban the ugly, brutal, sickening dog and cat meat trade and consumption in their countries—forever.

“For the dog, an animal that is more human than beast, who fights for us in our wars, aids our blind and deaf, assists our police, catches poachers, herds our cattle, protects us, defends us and loves us unconditionally, the current cruelty that humans in dog-eating countries inflict on them is one of the greatest betrayals mankind commits towards the one animal that has, as a species, always shown such unwavering loyalty and devotion. Each of us has a moral obligation to end it. The dog would sacrifice himself for us in a heartbeat; it is poor repayment from Man if we do not return this favour by doing everything in our power to save him from the torture and cruelty he is so grievously subjected to in China and the Far-East.” Written by Sarah Brownlee, Head of Operation Hound and Campaigner against the Dog Meat Trade

What You Can Do

Sign the petition – Sign the Humane Society International’s pledge to fight the dog meat trade
Sign the petition to S. Korean President Moon Jae-in and Minister of Agriculture Kim Young-rok, demanding an end to the dog meat trade!
Sign the Change.org petition to the Siheung City Mayor to end dog meat consumption
Sponsor a dog or Adopt a dog by offering them a home or donation to support their care
Read more about shutting down the dog meat trade, and what is being done to achieve real change
Donate! – Donate to one of the organizations listed above that are active in ending the dog meat trade
Spread the word! – Share this page with your friends on Facebook and Twitter, and urge them to take action. Use the hashtag #EndTheDogMeatTrade
VISIT – Koreandogs.org for specific actions to take

Nonprofits Involved in Ending the Dog-Meat Trade

World Dog Alliance, World Dog Alliance (WDA), is the first and only organization dedicated to promoting clear legislation on banning dog meat consumption in countries around the world. Through the united efforts of NGOs and individuals, WDA hopes to end the suffering of 30 million dogs who are slaughtered every year in Asian countries for their flesh. WDA also aims to end the human suffering of losing a companion to the dog meat trade, where 70% of dogs slaughtered as food are stolen pets.World Dog Alliance (Hong Kong Headquarters) 21/F, King Palace Plaza, 55 King Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Korean Dogs, KoreanDogs.org is committed to stopping the dog and cat meat trade and consumption in South Korea.

Operation Hound, Operation Hound has one goal. To send a letter to the President of the United States and bring his attention to the trade. Please join the cause.

Dog Meat Free Indonesia, Take Action

Last Chance For Animals, Stop Dog Meat

Humane Society International, Dog Meat

Animals Asia, Tackling the Dog Meat Trade

Soi Dog, Ending the Dog Meat Trade