Dogs defender

The most powerful man in football yesterday took personal action to avert a public relations disaster at next summer's World Cup finals concerning the Koreans penchant for eating dogs.

Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, stepped in after the sport's world governing body, had received thousands of protests from animal lovers pointing out that the mistreatment of dogs is a matter of routine in Korea, where dog meat is regarded as a delicacy.

Blatter has written "a forthright letter" to Dr Chung Mong-Joon, the top man in Korean football and a Fifa vice-president, urging him to "take immediate and decisive measures to put an immediate end to this cruelty" which is also "harming Korea's international image".

Millions of Koreans eat dog meat, which is considered healthy and is mostly eaten in the summer. Many people also believe it enhances male sexual prowess. So-called "meat dogs" are raised in crowded cages in the countryside. Traditionally, dogs were hanged or beaten with bats to soften the flesh before slaughter, but most are now killed by electric shocks.

Japan, which is co-hosting the tournament, is also in the firing line. The World Society for the Protection of Animals wants Fifa also to campaign against "the keeping of bears in pits where they fight over food for the amusement of tourists".