Mitchell Rudy from Canada has officially set a new world record by walking 38 dogs simultaneously, surpassing the previous record of 36. This remarkable feat occurred on September 5, 2024, in Goesan, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, and was sponsored by the Canadian charity BONK and the Korean K9 Rescue (KK9R).
The event was not just a personal achievement for Mitchell but also aimed to raise awareness for rescued dogs. All 38 dogs involved in the record-breaking walk were rescued from the local community and are currently listed for adoption through KK9R. The shelter primarily focuses on rescuing dogs from puppy mills and the meat industry in South Korea.
Mitchell, a key contributor to the BONK project, expressed his joy upon breaking the record. “All of these dogs, some of them are from the puppy mill industry, some of them are from former meat harvesting areas. These are dogs that have been rescued by KK9R but also other agencies inside of Korea,” he shared with Guinness World Records (GWR). He emphasized that these animals deserve loving homes, stating, “There’s a lot of stigma around rescues. They’re great animals; they deserve a good home; they just need a little bit of love.”
The record attempt required not only the sheer number of dogs but also that Mitchell walk them for one kilometer (0.6 miles) while maintaining control of all dogs on their leashes. He explained that the goal was to showcase the strength and temperament of these dogs, thereby increasing their chances of being adopted. “We wanted to do something that made these dogs be the champions that they are,” he told GWR. “These are good dogs; they deserve homes.”
KK9R’s Executive Director, Gina Kim-Sadiku, praised the team for their preparation and hard work, noting, “We did not have a lot of time [to train for this event], but since our dogs had a strong foundation, we were able to really accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.”
This event also highlights recent advancements in animal welfare in South Korea. This year, the country approved a bill banning dog meat consumption, reflecting a significant shift in societal perceptions of animals and their treatment.
Through his incredible achievement, Mitchell Rudy has not only set a world record but also shone a spotlight on the importance of animal rescue and the potential of these dogs to be loving companions.
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