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People in South Korea are increasingly turning their backs on eating dog meat, a new survey reveals today.

Animal rights groups have been trying to stamp down on the country's cruel trade as the Mirror Online revealed in a story last month .

More than two and a half million dogs are killed for food each year.

Now a poll by Defence of Animals and Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE) shows public opposition to dog meat is stronger than ever.

(Image: HSUS/ Frank Loftus) (Image: HSUS/ Frank Loftus)

The independent survey of 1,000 Koreans reveals that over 60 percent have never eaten dog meat, 57 percent are “against” the cruel trade, and 46 percent believe dog meat should be banned.

Younger South Koreans are moving away from eating dogs at an astonishing rate, signaling more hope for the future. Three in four people in their twenties have never eaten dog, which is up 15 percent since 2007.

“We are pleased that years of our tireless efforts to protect dogs from the abusive meat trade in South Korea, we are making meaningful change,” said In Defence of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick.

(Image: mckphoto)

“Millions of dogs suffer the most brutal treatment imaginable for Boshintang soup and false health tonics, so we thank Koreans who respect dogs by not eating these loving animals. In Defence of Animals will not rest until no more animals are harmed for food.”

The study has for the first time revealed how many Koreans are unaware or in disbelief of the brutal dog killing methods.

Up to a third did not know that that dogs are hung, electrocuted, hit over the head, beaten and bled out by the meat industry.

Another third did not believe that dogs were tortured and killed using those methods.

Terrorised dogs are incorrectly rumoured to taste better or give better health benefits, which leads to intentional torture of dogs before they are eaten.

Despite the relatively low incidence of dog meat consumption, two and a half million dogs are purported to be killed for food every year in South Korea, and the industry is worth over $200 million. The majority of dogs are eaten during “Bok Nal”, the country’s dog meat feast days that are held each summer.

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AJ Garcia, President of South Korea-based organization, CARE said, “We have continually seen the demand for dog meat decreasing here in Korea, particularly among the younger generations. As the only country to allow intensive farming of dogs for human consumption, it is no small issue and millions of dogs are currently languishing on horrifying farms throughout the country."

Trucks are stacked with hundreds of dogs crammed alive into wire cages to transport their grim cargo toward the slaughterhouse. They are transported without food or water, and many suffer broken bones or perish before reaching their final destination.

Those who survive can only wait their turn as they watch other dogs being tortured and killed for human consumption.