Canadian pairs skater Meagan Duhamel just earned a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, but she already won over hearts everywhere when she saved a dog en route to be someone’s dinner in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The two-time world champion skater—who is also vegan—has been a vocal advocate against the sale of dog meat throughout the 2018 Winter Olympics. Eating dog meat is legal in South Korea, and Koreans eat an assortment of delicacies derived from man’s best friend. Back in February 2017, Duhamel adopted a dog in South Korea the first time she visited the country. The 2-year-old miniature dachshund, now named Moo-tea, was adopted through an organization called Free Korean Dogs.
The dog Duhamel saved this week will be returning to Canada with her, according to the Sun, but it’ll be adopted by another family.
“I don’t have the luxury of keeping another dog in my small condo,” she said. “As much as I would love to.”
The dog meat farms have been a source of controversy for the foreigners visiting South Korea. While Pyeongchang County government official Lee Yong-bae told AFP that the government had requested restaurants near the games refrain from selling dog meat dishes, many restaurants switched back after sales plummeted.
Earlier this week, Humane Society International rescued around 90 puppies and dogs from a farm just 40 minutes away from the Olympic village after charity workers persuaded the farmer to give up his trade.
