Soccer Star Says Cruelty to Animals is No Game

Don't kick the dog, kick the ball!

In Korea, dogs and cats suffer horrible cruelty before being slaughtered for food. Support the worldwide protest!

With the World Cup in full swing, the world’s eyes are on Korea, but German goalkeeper Robert Enke, who has just been signed to Spain's F.C. Barcelona, one of the most highly decorated teams in the world, has his eyes on the appalling abuse of dogs and cats in South Korea. Armed with the slogan, “Kick the ball, not the dog,” the soccer star is protesting the treatment of dogs and cats slaughtered for human consumption.

“Animals must be treated with the same respect as humans,” says Enke. “The Korean government should finally enforce its animal protection laws!”

Enke is in good company. PETA’s international campaign is supported by Liverpool F.C. and England squad members Michael Owen and Emile Hesky, as well as by Tottenham Hotspur's Jamie Redknapp. They are appalled that cats are frequently cooked alive— slowly boiled to death—and that dogs are often hung up by their necks and beaten before having their throats slit.

Enke and his wife, Teresa, hosted PETA’s photo shoot in their garden in Lisbon, surrounded by their eight dogs. All the dogs were rescued from the street and are part of the Enke family now.