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Viewers experience the virtual reality video being shown at Times Square on the morning of July 14 in the Yeongdeungpo District of Seoul shows the experience of dogs that will live and die in the raised cages of dog farmers. (by Lim Se-yeon

Lily is trying to protect her four pups; Sally’s right paw is bent because of a broken leg; and Julius is a Tosa, a Japanese fighting dog – and all of them are destined for the dinner table. The three dogs can be seen at a farm with more than 200 dogs, which are kept in a line of rusted wire cages. The cages are suspended about 1 meter above the ground. Rotting excrement piles up beneath the cages. Large Tosas, weighing between 40 and 50 kg, are pacing inside their cages, barking as if they had spotted someone. The cages are just big enough for them to sit down, stand up, and lie down. The Tosa is not the only breed of dog in view – there are also Chihuahuas, Maltese, Great Pyrenees, and Beagles.

At the end of this unsettling four-minute video, viewers are asked, “What do you think it would be like to have to spend your whole life here? What if you had to spend your whole life standing on your bare feet in a small, dirty wire cage, fully exposed to the heat, cold, wind and rain?”

The virtual reality video being shown at Times Square on the morning of July 14 in the Yeongdeungpo District of Seoul shows the experience of dogs that will live and die in the raised cages of dog farmers. This video was shot while Humane Society International (HSI), an animal protection organization, was rescuing dogs being raised for slaughter at a farm in Wonju, Gangwon Province, in January. The narration was provided by Kang Hyeong-wook, an animal trainer.

“We captured the typical images of a dog farm, including fallen cages, metal panels used as roofing, and holes in the floor,” said Kim Na-ra, HSI’s campaign manager. “When you go to the farm, you can’t tell the difference between dogs used as pets and dogs raised for slaughter. In fact, some dogs are discovered in the market with collars on, most of which are abandoned pets.”

Even though it was a weekday morning, the video attracted the attention of passersby. After watching the video, people added their opinions to the debate about eating dogs, which has flared up after the traditional hottest days of summer, when dog meat is consumed.

Cho Eun-bom, 22, a resident of Yeongdeungpo District who watched the video, called for the improvement of factory farming, a position advocated by animal protection groups. “I’ve always been interested in the issue of eating dogs. I think it’s not just a matter of dogs, though; the discussion should be expanded to the welfare of other kinds of livestock, too,” she said.

Another viewer, Lim Seong-jun, 30, proposed a gradual solution. “Rather than saying you should never eat dogs, we need to show people why it’s wrong, like saying that the dogs we eat spend their lives in pain and die cruel deaths. I’m not saying it’s wrong just because they’re dogs. I think the right approach is legalization and regulation, while gradually moving toward abolition,” he said.

The virtual reality video can be viewed at Times Square through July 15. Since Dec. 2014, HIS has sponsored the conversion or closure of eight dog farms. This led to the rescue of over 850 dogs, which were then sent to the US and UK. These dogs have met or will meet new families overseas.

By Choi Woo-ri, staff reporter

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