Olympic Skier Gus Kenworthy Saves Dogs From Meat Farms In South Korea

Jan 10, 2020 by apost team

Outside of Olympic skiing, Gus Kenworthy is not a recognizable figure, that is until he also became an advocate for animal rights in the most unlikely way. During his travels around the world to compete in a sport he loves, Kenworthy became aware of the plight of thousands of dogs that were being kept in inhumane conditions and decided to do something about it.

South Koreans and Korean culture include the consumption of dog meat, something that is not culturally acceptable in Western culture. Every culture is different, and what is normal and openly allowed in one corner of the world, might sometimes come as a culture shock when visiting other parts of the world.

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The average American views dogs as pets, part of the family, and animals meant to be pampered and included in our daily lives. Most Americans, and individuals from other cultures where dogs are pets, are shocked when they learn that dogs are kept in farms and raised for food. For Koreans, dog meat, like most other food, is chosen for the benefits and properties that the meal has to offer.

In the case of dogs, people believe that eating their meat gives a person virility and energy, so it is the preferred dish for older people, reports Humane Society International. As the popularity of dogs as pets grows, younger generations are beginning to view dogs in different ways. For this reason alone, HSI belives that eating dog meat won't be as popular in coming years as it is now.

At the moment though, dog farms are popular, and The Dodo states there are hundreds of thousands of dogs being kept in farms to be sold as meat. This reality hit 28-year-old Gus Kenworthy hard, and he had to visit a dog farm for himself to find out what really happened to the animals being kept there.

Kenworthy was not only shocked, but knew he had to do something to change the lives of both the dogs being kept on the farm he visited, and the life of the farmer. Through tireless work, Kenworthy convinced the farmer to stop dog farming and allow the dogs to be adopted out. According to The Dodo, after undergoing vaccinations and periods of quarantine, all of the dogs on the farm are coming to the United States to find forever homes and families.

Kenworthy vows to continue working to raise awareness of the plight of dogs in South Korea and to at least encourage the humane treatment of the animals.
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