A Mutilated Stray Cat Found in Urban Residential Area
A 20-Year-Old Playing 'Jwibulnori' Holding a Dog's Leash... "Did It for Fun," He Says
Chat Room Sharing Photos of Stray Cat Abuse
Expert: "Linked to Lenient Punishments"
Recently, a series of cruel abuse cases against stray cats have occurred, causing public outrage. Photo by Asia Economy DB
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "How does cat taste?", "I want to kill stray cats, how can I find them?"
There is public outrage as some people cruelly kill cats. Some even eat the bodies of cats they have tortured to death, mutilate the corpses, and set them on fire, showing inhumane behavior that calls for strong punishment. Nevertheless, these individuals create anonymous chat rooms where they compete in their heinous acts, taking photos of brutally killed cat corpses and videos of cats writhing in pain for their amusement.
In particular, chat room participants reportedly engaged in bizarre and cruel acts such as killing cats with knives, arrows, and axes, and bringing skulls into their homes to share photos. Experts point to low punishment levels as a reason for the increase in animal abuse crimes.
According to the Busan Animal Love Stray Cat Protection Coalition on the 20th, a dismembered stray cat leg was found scorched by fire in a residential area in downtown Busan.
Last month, a resident reported to Sasang District Office after finding two cats they usually fed dead, but the corpses disappeared before the district officials arrived at the scene. About a month later, on the 16th, only the cat's leg was found scorched by fire. The cat's head and torso have yet to be found.
Meanwhile, perpetrators often abuse animals just for fun.
Last month in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, two women in their 20s were caught abusing a dog by holding its leash and swinging it in the air like a traditional Korean fire-spinning game called "Gongi Nori," drawing public criticism. They told police during the investigation that "the dog was cute, and they did it for fun without thinking."
Animal abuse cases continue to rise, but very few result in legal punishment. According to data obtained by Justice Party lawmaker Lee Eunju from the National Police Agency last year, violations of the Animal Protection Act increased more than 13 times from 69 cases in 2010 to 914 cases in 2019. The total number of cases during this period was 3,048.
However, only 304 people were prosecuted for Animal Protection Act violations during the same period, and only 10 received prison sentences.
Because punishments are so lenient, the nature of the crimes is becoming bolder and more brutal.
Recently, KakaoTalk open chat rooms where participants posted photos of animal abuse sparked controversy. Participants shared stories, photos, and videos of cruelly killing or abusing stray cats.
They shared videos of kicking traps where cats were caught while laughing, photos of cats dying from arrows they shot, and photos of raccoon heads they had cut off.
One participant said in the chat room, "I want to kill stray cats, how can I find them? I hope one appears right in front of me to kill." Another participant responded to the question "How does cat taste?" by saying, "I took one bite of cat and threw it away," causing further controversy.
Conversation content from a KakaoTalk open chat room that sparked controversy over animal abuse. Photo by Online Community
The problem with stray cat cases is that it is difficult to identify the perpetrators. Investigations targeting unspecified large groups take a long time to catch criminals. Also, since stray cats have no owners, investigations tend to be deprioritized.
As a result, the rate of unsolved Animal Protection Act violation cases has increased over the past decade. According to the National Police Agency, the rate of suspects not caught was only 7.2% (5 out of 69 cases) in 2010 but rose to 20.9% (191 out of 914 cases) in 2019.
As the animal abuse problem continues, voices are calling for harsher punishments for perpetrators.
Under current law, causing death to an animal by cruel methods such as hanging is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW. Causing injury to an animal using tools or other methods is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.
An office worker, Mr. A, said, "Serial killers like Kang Ho-soon and Yoo Young-chul abused animals before starting to kill humans. They derive pleasure and excitement from killing animals and then become murderers. People need to understand that animals' lives are as precious as humans'. They should be severely punished as serious criminals."
Experts also point out that low punishment levels are increasing animal abuse crimes. Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Union, said, "The judiciary's judgments and punishments for animal abuse are too lenient. Although the law stipulates imprisonment or fines for cruelly killing or injuring animals, only 0.1% of cases actually result in imprisonment. In other words, only 1 out of 1,000 animal abuse cases leads to prosecution with detention."
He added, "Fundamental measures should be established to permanently prohibit people with a history of animal abuse from owning or raising animals. Firm and strict responses to animal abuse crimes are necessary."
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