Meagan Duhamel is a two-time figure skating champion who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Before the actual competition, the Canadian athlete went there with the rest of her Olympic team to practice and get to know the area. While in the country, she learned about the Korean meat trade.
As a dog lover, she was taken aback by the knowledge that more than Two million dogs were slaughtered each year for consumption. It is a Korean tradition that dates back more than a thousand years. Some older men even believe that eating dog meat gives them virility.
Meagan knew she couldn’t save all the dogs on the meat farm, but she could make a difference.
Moo-tae
The figure skater got in touch with a nonprofit rescue group called Free Korean Dogs and offered to escort the canines on a flight to Canada. She would be going with two dogs, one of which is Moo-tae, who she would eventually adopt.
Moo-tae, a miniature dachshund, was about to become a dish in a Korean restaurant. Her fate was sealed until Meagan fell in love with her. The pooch now lives happily and comfortably in her new home.
Inspired by her kind act, Meagan’s parents also adopted a dog rescued from the meat trade. The pup, named Daeging, was abused and moved from one home to another after getting saved. She finally settled in Canada.
Continuing advocacy
Meagan felt unparalleled joy helping dogs in need. She vows to use all the attention she gets from her sporting success to train a spotlight on the cruel and inhuman dog meat farm situation. She hopes that they will soon put a stop to the tradition.
Thankfully, her efforts and the numerous hours and resources spent by many rescue organizations have made a considerable impact. Dog farms are now being closed and transformed into agricultural farms. Eating dogs in Korea may soon be a thing of the past.
Source: AP Sports Outtakes via Youtube