Korean Government Buries Pigs Alive, Refuses to Vaccinate for FMD

Government Buries Pigs Alive, Refuses to Vaccinate for FMD

NOTE:  How does one even respond to this horror?  I can't imagine what these poor, beautiful, innocent animals suffer at the hands of these Soulless, Bastard Devils.  How can one read about how humans torture &  butcher other beings day after day after day and still believe there is a merciful god?  I can't.

Sunday, 26 December 2010 13:39

More than 1,400,000 animals killed and counting. (photo © 경북매일신문 & kbmaeil.com) Pigs are ruthlessly buried alive, and this will continue to happen because the Korean government has refused to vaccinate the animals against foot-and-mouth disease. One report says that around 90% of all animals, including cattle, have been buried alive. More horrific images below and here. (photo © 경인일보 kyeongin.com) The first case of foot-and-mouth (FMD) was reported in North Gyeongsang Province on November 29, and since then it has spread. In December, it was confirmed on pig farms in Paju, Yangju and Yeoncheon. It was also confirmed on a farm northwest of Seoul. Then it was found in Gangwon, the country’s most important province for animal farming, at cattle farms in Pyeongchang and Hwacheon, located 182 kilometers and 118 kilometers east of Seoul, respectively. In Gyeonggi, the disease has spread to a hog farm in Yeoncheon and Gimpo, plus to two cattle farms in Pocheon. There have been 116 cases of FMD as of January 12. FMD affects all hoofed animals--such as cattle, pigs, goats, deer and buffalo--and any country that has it is banned from exporting meat, even though meat from infected animals does not harm humans. So tragically, once again, in what is almost a yearly ritual, mass slaughters have taken place, and this time in record numbers. Culling is comprehensive and brutal. (photo © 경인일보 kyeongin.com) This month, to prevent the spread of the disease, all cows, dogs and chickens at farms were also killed and buried. Currently, there are about 610,000 cloven-hoofed animals on 16,000 farms in the province. Gangwon boasts some of Korea's best beef brands, such as Hoengseong and Daegwallyeong. Many of these animals could face slaughter. Since the outbreak of FMD on November 29, over 1,400,000 animals have been either culled or are destined for slaughter--many have been and will be buried alive. (photo © 경북매일신문 & kbmaeil.com) As a consequence of FMD spiralling out of control, the Korean government considered administering vaccines to farmed animals, a common-sensed thing to do. However, it has many opponents because it will make it difficult to regain FMD-free status later on. It will also cost a lot. At least 78 billion won ($67.8 million) is needed to secure vaccines for 3 million cows as well as for 10 million pigs. The damage so far is estimated at over 230 billion won, and that will only increase. Regrettably, the government has begun inoculating cattle in five cities but will not vaccinate pigs. Based on the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Guidelines (Chapter 7.6 Killing of animals for disease control purposes, Article 7.6.1., Terrestrial Animal Health Code), the welfare of the animals shall be ensured until they are dead. As a member of the OIE, Korea's burying of pigs (and other animals) alive is in violation of the international guidelines, not to mention being torturous, cruel and immoral. KARA has strongly advocated including pigs in the vaccination program but to no avail. It is clear that the government is putting economic considerations before animal welfare as it has done in the past. Despite KARA and other animal rights groups condemning the practice of burying animals alive and causing untold suffering and mass cruelty, this nightmarish practice is likely to continue. (photo © 경인일보 kyeongin.com) Update, January 4, 2011 People are now reporting "blood water" coming through taps in Paju City near where mass burials took place. More here. Update, January 6, 2011 People assigned to cull animals are reportly suffering guilt and trauma from the terrible way everything was done. They can still hear the cries of the animlas and have called it a living nightmare. They have experienced lost of appetite, mental stress and depression, including in some cases a reduced will to live. Psychological counseling has been made available for them at the welfare center in Gyongido. Thirty one posts in Gyongido have been setup for counseling and post traumatic stress help due to the live cullings. The government has ruled out euthansia drugs for cattle, so cattle are being buried alive as well. The military was called in and some 68,000 soldiers and 770 pieces of military equipment have been mobilzed to help with the culling. Total deaths so far stands at 1,000,000. Update, January 7, 2011 An estimate 1,000,000 more animals are expected to be killed, most by the inhumane and barbaric method of being buried alive. Government has finally begun to vaccinate pigs. But more criticism is being leveled at it for its inadequate preventative measures and poor response. KARA had urged the government weeks ago to begin mass vaccinations. We were ignored. Update, January 8, 2011 Here is a brief description of just one culling episode. In it is claimed that pigs that tried to escape were killed with excavators by being crushed, hit and having heads split open by their blades. The number of pigs was 1138. A total of 27 people participated in the culling: local government officers 18, official vet 1, engineers 7, livestock cooperative official 1. There were 3 excavators and 4 trucks. Culling started at 5 pm and finished 11 pm. Baby pigs were put into bags alive, 7 or 8 per bag, and buried alive. Large and strong pigs were dumped in a pit, but the toughest struggled to get out. When they attempted escaped, excavators pushed them back with their shovels with violence and would kill them. (Note the 3rd photo from the top.) It is described that their heads are split open. Update, January 10, 2011 Reportedly, 1.2 million pigs and cattle across the country will be vaccinated over the next few weeks and the government will try to get vaccines for 6.5 million animals by the end of January. Typical of the Korean government throughout this disaster: too little too late to save innocent lives. Update, January 12, 2011 Cull deaths now stand at 1.41 million. KARA's letter alerting other animal rights groups around the world. KARA's public information release in English. Korean English-language sources for FMD news: Dec. 21, 2010: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2929931 Dec. 23, 2010: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2930052 Dec. 25, 2010: http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20101225000038 Dec. 28, 2010: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/12/123_78747.html Jan. 3, 2011: http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110103000860 Jan. 3, 2011: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/117_79094.html Jan. 6, 2011: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/01/116_79256.html Jan. 6, 2011: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/01/06/57/0501000000AEN20110106008900320F.HTML Jan. 12, 2011: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2930867 Jan. 12, 2011: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2011/01/12/15/0501000000AEN20110112005500320F.HTML (photo © 경북매일신문 & kbmaeil.com)