This pup found a fur-ever home with Kenworthy. | Photo: Instagram @guskenworthy
Despite not winning any medals, US skiier Gus Kenworthy has made the most of his time during the Winter Olympics.
While in PyeongChang, South Korea, he formed a beautiful friendship with fellow out athlete Adam Rippon. He also made history by sharing the first gay kiss on live TV during the Olympics.
All of this, even despite a broken thumb and gnarly bruise.
However, his latest Korean adventure was far more sobering.
Along with his partner, Matthew Wilkas, they visited one of the many dog farms in the country. He called the trip ‘heart-wrenching’.
‘Not my place to impose western ideals’
South Korea’s Humane Society estimates there are around 17,000 dog meat farms in the country. According to reports, 2 million dogs are killed and eaten each year.
While the practice is highly controversial, both around the world and in Korea, some view ‘pet dogs’ and ‘meat dog’s as inherently different.
Kenworthy acknowledged the cultural difference in a lengthy Instagram post.
‘Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while [I] don’t personally agree with it, I do agree that it’s not my place to impose western ideals on the people here,’ he wrote.
More photos from the farm. | Photo: Instagram @guskenworthy
He continued that his concern stems from animal cruelty: ‘The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty.’
He described the dogs as ‘malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions’.
Kenworthy said these dogs are ‘no different’ to the ones people call pets.
Hell on earth
An animal rights activist, Steph Bonham, confirmed to GSN part of Kenworthy’s post, that the dogs are killed in front of one another.
‘It truly is hell on earth for dogs and cats, where it is believed that the more you torture the cat or dog before you slaughter it, the better the health benefits and taste,’ she said. ‘Common practices of killing is skinning, burning/blow torching, boiling, chopping limbs off, all while the animal is still alive. The dogs are killed in front of each other, as each one watches the death of their crate mate.’
She also added many of the dogs suffer from diseases like rabies and parvo that go untreated.
As Kenworthy wrote, Bonham said many of these animals are stolen pets as well.
A happier ending
Luckily, according to Kenworthy’s post, the farm he and Wilkas visited is being shut down. All 90 dogs are being flown to the US and Canada to find permanent homes.
Kenworthy himself even adopted an adorable pup. Pictured in the main photo, he named her Beemo.
‘She’ll be coming to the US to live with me as soon as she’s through with her vaccinations in a short couple of weeks. I cannot wait to give her the best life possible!’
He finished his post with a more positive message: ‘I’m hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade here in Korea and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes!’
