"Yelling Loudly..." 40s Man Kills Neighbor's Tied Dog with Wooden Stick, Fined 12 Million Won

Court: "Agreement with the dog owner, residents appeal for leniency"

Animal abuse. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A man in his 40s was fined for beating to death a neighbor's dog tied up for barking loudly with a wooden stick.

On the 26th, the Ulsan District Court Criminal Division 8 announced that it sentenced Mr. A, who was tried for violating the Animal Protection Act, to a fine of 12 million won.

In September last year, Mr. A repeatedly hit dogs tied in front of a detached house in Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam, with a wooden stick after they barked, killing one dog and injuring another.

The court stated the sentencing reason, "There is no respect for living beings, and the method of the crime was quite violent. Considering that the defendant reached an agreement with the dog owner and several neighbors petitioned for leniency, the defendant was sentenced to a fine."

After the ruling was announced, netizens responded, "The barking of dogs is really a problem. I understand the defendant," and "The sentence is appropriate." On the other hand, some argued that "No matter how noisy it is, beating a dog to death with a wooden stick is unacceptable. The dog was like family, so a fine is not enough," calling for a heavier sentence.

Under current law, acts that cause death by cruel methods such as hanging an animal's neck are punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. Causing injury to an animal using tools or other methods is punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

Meanwhile, as animal abuse crimes have been continuously controversial, voices demanding harsher punishments for perpetrators are growing louder.

On the 20th, a severed stray cat leg was found scorched by fire in a residential area in Busan, sparking public outrage. Earlier last month in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, two women in their 20s were caught abusing a puppy by swinging its leash in the air multiple times like a fire play, drawing criticism.

Reports of animal abuse have been steadily increasing. According to police data last year, the number of violations of the Animal Protection Act rose 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, during the same period, only about 10% of those accused of violating the Animal Protection Act?304 people?were brought to trial, and only 10 of them received prison sentences.