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Olympian Gus Kenworthy Rescues Dogs From Korean Meat Farm

Four years ago, Olympian Gus Kenworthy rescued dogs from Russia. Now in Korea he writes on Instragram: "New Olympics. Same me."

By Gina Tron Feb 26, 2018, 9:27 AM ET

American Olympian skier Gus Kenworthy is rescuing even more dogs, this time from a meat farm in Korea. Previously, he rescued five strays and adopted two others in Sochi, Russia, not far from where the 2014 Olympics were held, according to Jezebel.

On Instagram, Kenworthy detailed how he and his boyfriend toured one of South Korea’s 17,000 dog meat farms last week.

“Across the country, there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable,” Kenworthy wrote on his Instagram. “Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while don't personally agree with it, I do agree that it's not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty. I was told that the dogs on this particular farm were kept in "good conditions" by comparison to other farms. The dogs here are malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions.”

The Olympian went on to describe that when the dogs are killed they are often killed by electrocution. Kenworthy wrote that it often takes 20 minutes for the dogs to die and the process is typically done in front of other dogs.

“These dogs are no different from the ones we call pets back home. Some of them were even pets at one time and were stolen or found and sold into the dog meat trade,” he wrote.

This morning Matt and I had a heart-wrenching visit to one of the 17,000 dog farms here in South Korea. Across the country there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable. Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while don't personally agree with it, I do agree that it's not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty. I was told that the dogs on this particular farm were kept in "good conditions" by comparison to other farms. The dogs here are malnourished and physically abused, crammed into tiny wire-floored pens, and exposed to the freezing winter elements and scorching summer conditions. When it comes time to put one down it is done so in front of the other dogs by means of electrocution sometimes taking up to 20 agonizing minutes. Despite the beliefs of some, these dogs are no different from the ones we call pets back home. Some of them were even pets at one time and were stolen or found and sold into the dog meat trade. Luckily, this particular farm (thanks to the hard work of the Humane Society International and the cooperation of a farmer who's seen the error of his ways) is being permanently shut down and all 90 of the dogs here will be brought to the US and Canada where they'll find their fur-ever homes. I adopted the sweet baby in the first pic (we named her Beemo) and 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! There are still millions of dogs here in need of help though (like the Great Pyrenees in the 2nd pic who was truly the sweetest dog ever). I'm hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes! Go to @hsiglobal's page to see how you can help. #dogsarefriendsnotfood #adoptdontshop â¤ï¸ð¶
A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Feb 23, 2018 at 8:10am PST

Kenworthy and his boyfriend, who live in Colorado, adopted at least one dog from Korea. Her name is Beemo.

Kenworthy is now working with the Humane Society International to get the meat farm shut down and to find homes for the other 90 dogs that have been rescued, according to KDVR.