British celebrity Simon Cowell donates $32,600 to shut Korean dog meat farm

Simon Cowell's donation “a huge boost.” Reuters

By Park Si-soo

British celebrity Simon Cowell has donated 25,000 euros ($32,640) to the animal rights group Humane Society International (HSI) to help close a dog meat farm in South Korea.

HIS announced Cowell's donation on Friday, saying his money would be used to “save over 200 dogs and puppies at a South Korean dog farm that breeds the animals for human consumption.” HIS didn't elaborate on the farm, including its name and location.

The animal rights group said its staff would visit South Korea next week to pick up the dogs, which would be sent to various countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Netherlands for recovery and adoption.

“Simon's generous donation means the world to us, and provides a huge boost to our appeal to close this horrendous dog meat farm,” HSI U.K. Executive Director Claire Bass said in a statement. “More than 200 dogs are languishing in the most appalling conditions, but we have a real chance to save them.

“These poor dogs have had the worst lives so far, so we're desperate to get them out of those dreadful cages and show them love, soft beds and loving arms for the first time in their lives.”

The move is the latest in a series of high-profile challenges to Korea's dog meat culture, which goes back hundreds of years. A growing demand for pets is putting increasing pressure on the consumption of dog meat.

Amid challenges, the popularity of dog meat is declining in Korea and authorities have toughened the rules. But dog meat consumers and retailers are unhappy, arguing that their diet deserves respect.