G-Dragon's Pet Dog 'Gaho' Neglect Controversy
"Left in Unsuitable Environment" vs "Cannot Be Seen as Intentional Abuse"
Expert: "Neglect Is Also Abuse... Urgent Need for Awareness Improvement Through Stricter Punishments"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Recently, singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) has faced allegations of neglecting his pet dog, sparking ongoing controversy over whether neglect can be considered a form of abuse. Pet owners have raised critical voices, arguing that the lack of even minimal care for the dog constitutes abusive behavior.
On the other hand, some fans argue that since there was no cruel treatment, it cannot be considered abuse, leading to heated debates. Experts have suggested improving awareness of abuse and animal welfare and revising related laws.
Recently, a post was published on an online community claiming "Neglect of the dogs staying at a pension run by G-Dragon's parents is suspected." The accompanying photo showed Gaho, the pet dog, lying in an outdoor enclosure with overgrown nails.
The author stated, "Gaho's eyebrows often poked his eyes, causing a lot of tears," and "The dogs appeared weak and lethargic." They added, "The Shar Pei breed is highly vulnerable to skin diseases and is greatly affected by temperature," emphasizing, "It is not a breed suitable for outdoor raising."
As pet culture spreads and the number of households raising pets increases, neglect, including animal hoarding, has emerged as a new social issue.
According to the "2019 National Awareness Survey on Animal Protection" released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in April, 5.91 million households were found to be raising pets. This is an increase of 800,000 households compared to the previous year, meaning one in four households has a pet. Among them, 4.95 million households raised 5.98 million dogs, and 1.92 million households raised 2.58 million cats.
Accordingly, reports of neglect, including animal hoarding, have also shown an increasing trend. According to the animal protection organization Animal Freedom Union, neglect reports were 68 cases in 2016, 270 cases in 2017, and 111 cases in 2019. Animal hoarding refers to keeping an excessive number of animals beyond one's capacity to care for them, failing to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as a caretaker.
Under current law, neglect is also included as animal abuse. Article 2 of the Animal Protection Act defines "animal abuse" as acts that cause unnecessary or avoidable physical pain and stress to animals without justifiable reasons, as well as neglecting or failing to take appropriate measures regarding starvation, disease, etc.
When raising, managing, or protecting animals, one must comply with Article 3 of the Animal Protection Act, "Basic Principles of Animal Protection." Article 3 stipulates ▲allowing animals to live normally while maintaining their natural habits and physical form ▲preventing animals from experiencing thirst, starvation, or nutritional deficiency ▲allowing animals to express normal behavior and not suffer discomfort ▲ensuring animals are free from pain, injury, and disease ▲preventing animals from experiencing fear and stress.
As a result, criticism of neglect is strong. Pet owners pointed out that a breed vulnerable to skin diseases was left outdoors and that there was no minimal care such as walking.
A 27-year-old office worker A, who identified as a pet owner, said, "This breed is sensitive to heat, so raising it almost abandoned outside like that is unacceptable. They should be taken for walks frequently, but it seems like they are not at all. Pets are not accessories," expressing frustration.
They added, "Is this something a person who knows they have great influence as a celebrity would do? I'm afraid this incident might lead to further abuse. Proper education on pet awareness is necessary," emphasizing the point.
Office worker B (25) also said, "People who raise animals tend to be complacent because they are not well aware of these laws. Neglecting animals is clearly animal abuse," criticizing, "If you bring an animal to raise but do not provide a proper environment, who will take responsibility for the suffering the animal must endure?"
On the other hand, there are claims that this cannot be considered abuse, citing the absence of direct cruel acts.
Netizen C said, "I don't understand on what evidence people keep accusing this as abuse. Is it really necessary to be criticized this much just because the nails weren't trimmed?" They claimed, "As Gaho grew bigger, it became difficult to manage him, so he was sent to a place with a yard." Other fans also argued, "They weren't starved or beaten, so stop the baseless accusations," "Stop speculative criticism," and "The person is away from home more often due to schedule; isn't leaving the dog at home more abusive?"
An expert views neglect as an abusive act that causes suffering to animals but points out that punishment for such acts is difficult.
Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Union, said, "Article 3 of the Animal Protection Act stipulates the basic principles of animal protection. Also, neglecting or failing to take appropriate measures for pets is clearly considered abuse," but added, "However, whether such neglect can be punished is controversial."
Lee explained, "Punishment is possible for acts that cause physical pain or injury to animals without justifiable reasons," but "(in cases of neglect) it is difficult to prove, and the judiciary tends to interpret it conservatively."
He continued, "Public awareness must improve to recognize not only physical and intentional abuse but also neglect as abuse. Animals suffer due to caregivers' negligence regarding thirst, starvation, and disease, but social awareness in Korea is lacking," adding, "To prevent such incidents, related laws should be revised to strengthen punishment from a preventive perspective."
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