South Korean shelter dog basks in presidential glory as "First Dog"

Record ID: 904234

  • Title: South Korean shelter dog basks in presidential glory as "First Dog"
  • Date: 26th July 2017
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (RECENT - JULY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TORI EATING FROM BOWL AT CARE OFFICE TORI LYING IN PARK'S ARMS VARIOUS OF PARK STROKING TORI (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) PRESIDENT OF COEXISTENCE OF ANIMAL RIGHTS ON EARTH (CARE), PARK SO-YOUN, SAYING: "Due to his crossbred nature, unpopular looks and dark fur, Tori was not unable to be adopted for two years while watching fellow’s dogs get adopted... he just waited." SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (JULY 26, 2017) (REUTERS) PERSON WALKING DOG IN PARK DOG WALKED TWO DOGS PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER OWNER TAKING CARE OF HER DOG 44-YEAR-OLD DOG OWNER, LEE JUNG-SUK, SITTING ON PARK BENCH WITH HER DOG, GGU-MI, IN ARMS / ANOTHER DOG OWNER WALKING PAST WITH HER DOG LEE HOLDING AND STROKING GGU-MI (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 44-YEAR-OLD DOG OWNER, LEE JUNG-SUK, SAYING: "I don't understand why people criticise the adoption (of Tori) in such a way (with political campaigns). I hope that people can take small steps to change in the future, and also that people in our country will change their perceptions and view animals as a part of their family." PEOPLE SITTING ON BENCH AND HOLDING DOG DOG LOOKING AROUND
  • Embargoed: 9th August 2017 12:06
  • Keywords: President South Korea's president Moon Jae-in South Korea's First Dog Tori South Korea rescue dogs in South Korea dog shelter animals
  • Location: SEOUL AND NAMYANGJU, SOUTH KOREA
  • City: SEOUL AND NAMYANGJU, SOUTH KOREA
  • Country: South Korea
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036RCSSP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday (July 26) welcomed a rescue dog to his official Blue House residence, delivering on a campaign promise to boost awareness of the fast-growing numbers of abandoned animals accompanying a surge in pet ownership.
    Tori, a four-year-old black mixed breed, becomes the first shelter dog to attain the title of First Dog, joining Moon's two other pets, a 10-year-old Korean-breed Pungsan dog called Maru and a former stray cat, Jjing-jing.
    Like many shelter animals, Tori suffered the double stigma of being abandoned and having darker fur in a country that favours lighter-coloured animals as pets, and avoids those with black pelts out of superstition.
    Before his rescue, Tori was kept on a short leash in a deserted farmhouse and fed scraps.
    Pet ownership has grown rapidly in South Korea, with nearly a quarter of all homes having one, but the trend has also boosted the flock of abandoned animals in shelters nationwide. The government spent nearly 11.5 billion won ($10.3 million) on care for about 87,100 such animals in 2016.
    South Korea has been often criticized for its custom of consuming dog meat and dog meat trade, although the industry has been on decline in recent years.
    A change in perception is long overdue, say some pet owners.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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