What's happening to tens of thousands of dogs in Thailand, Vietnam and China is horrifying to many people across the world. Dogs, many of them strays picked up on the street, are beaten and crammed into cages to be used in the meat trade.
In Thailand, the illegal dog meat trade has moved animal advocates there and here in Michigan into taking action to save them.
"It's horrific that anyone could do that to an animal," says Kelley LaBonty, the director of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).
DAWG recently paid for 5 dogs, rescued in Thailand, to be flown to the United States. Dogs, that if not rescued by members of the Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, would have been tortured, skinned alive and sold into the illegal meat trade.
The five dogs, and another dog sponsored by The Devoted Barn, recently made the 26 hour flight to JFK Airport in New York where volunteers greeted them and drove them 10 hours back to Michigan where they are adjusting to a new life.
The dogs are getting used to grass, being in a home, and having regular meals.
Click on the video above to see our Action News story on what DAWG volunteers and the Soi Dog Foundation are doing to save these dogs from the brink of death.
If you would like to help foster one of the Thailand dogs, please send a text to 586-354-8500. The rescue group will provide food and cover all other expenses including vet care.
And if you'd like to make a donation to help cover surgery for Patty, one of the Thailand dogs, you can donate through PayPal using kelcruiser@aol.com.
Donations can also be mailed to DAWG, 78440 McKay Road, Bruce Township, MI, 48065.
