Top Republic of Korea's animal rights group slammed for destroying dogs

安徽泗縣一中 陳 坡

The leader of one of Republic of Korea's largest animal rights groups has been accused of secretly exterminating（滅絕）hundreds of rescued dogs—despite a declared no-kill policy—to ensure a continued stream of donations.

For years，Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth （CARE） has been devoted to campaigns to rescue dogs from dogmeat farms across the country， accumulating some 23，000 members and around two billion won （$1.8 million）in annual donations.

Staff members at CARE told the Hankyoreh newspaper that the organization's head，Park So-yeon，had more than 230 rescued dogs destroyed because of a shortage of space at the shelter.

Only 10 percent of the dogs were suffering from incurable illnesses and most were killed because of their large size，a CARE employee was quoted as saying.The animals were then listed as having been adopted.

The organization has long asserted（斷言）in appeals that it does not kill dogs even if they are not adopted.

But Park said in a statement that a“small number” of exterminations had been “inevitable” since 2015 due to a “sharp increase in requests for rescue missions”.She added that only severely aggressive dogs or those with incurable illnesses were destroyed，and only after extensive efforts to treat them first.

CARE staff members made a protest in the organization's offices at the weekend to demand Park's resignation.

According to a 2017 survey，70 percent in the Republic of Korea do not eat dogs，but far fewer—about 40 percent—believe the practice should be banned.It also found 65 percent support raising and slaughtering（屠殺）dogs in more humane conditions.

Reading Check

What can be inferred about Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth？

A.It is the earliest animal rights group in Republic of Korea.

B.It is actually in need of space at the shelter for dogs.

C.It exterminated rescued dogs for sustainable donations.

D.It has made contributions to rescuing dogs in the country.

Language Study

Complete the following sentences according to the text.

1.The leader of one of Republic of Korea's largest animal rights groups has been accused_________secretly exterminating hundreds of _________（rescue） dogs.

2.For years， Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth （CARE）__________（devote） to campaigns to rescue dogs from dogmeat farms across the country.

3.Only 10 percent of the dogs_________（be） suffering from incurable illnesses and most were killed because of their large size.

4.CARE staff members made a protest in the organization's offices at the weekend_________（demand）Park's resignation.

5.About 40 percent believe the practice should _________（ban）.