"A Dog in the Food Waste Bin"... Citizens Outraged Over Consecutive Animal Abuse Cases

Animal Abuse Cases Occur Everywhere
More Than 9 Out of 10 Citizens Say "Punishment Standards for Animal Abuse Must Be Strengthened"

The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Recently, as incidents of animal abuse, such as abandoning dogs in trash bins, have occurred repeatedly, public opinion is growing that the punishment for animal abuse should be increased.

On the 16th, a sighting report of a dog abandoned in a food waste bin was shared through an online community. According to the author’s description, the dog was abandoned in the trash bin, and bricks were placed on the lid to prevent the dog from getting out.

The author said, "The dog seems familiar with the apartment; when it hears the sound of the communal entrance door password being entered, it runs immediately from afar and stands in front of the communal entrance door," adding, "I have informed the security guard, and they said they would contact the city hall and took the dog away. I am unable to raise it, so I could not bring it home," expressing regret.

Recently, in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, a companion dog was brutally stabbed with a sharp weapon. According to the Sokcho branch of the Korea Kennel Club on the 6th of last month, a companion dog tied up at a temporary fishermen’s lodging kennel at the Gaetbae dock in Jungang-dong, Sokcho City, was found severely injured in the early morning of the previous day.

At that time, the back of the dog’s neck had wounds that appeared to be cut by a sharp weapon. The wounds on the dog’s neck are presumed to be the result of a 'random attack.' The dog was taken to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Fortunately, the dog survived by narrowly missing major blood vessels and is currently recovering.

Given this situation, citizens are also demanding stricter punishment for animal abuse. According to the '2021 Public Perception Survey on Directions for Animal Welfare Policy Improvement' conducted by the Animal Welfare Research Institute AWARE on August 30th with 2,000 respondents, 96.8% answered that 'the punishment standards for animal abuse should be strengthened.' Other responses included △ 'The ownership of abused animals should be revoked from the abusers' (97.3%) △ 'Those who abuse animals should be prohibited from raising other animals for a certain period' (98.3%).

AWARE stated, "The response rate for the need to institutionally guarantee animal welfare was 94.5%, indicating a very high social demand for strengthening animal welfare systems. On the other hand, only 30.6% believed that the current Animal Protection Act can prevent animal abuse, showing low public satisfaction with the existing system," and suggested, "There is a need to improve animal protection and welfare systems to a level that meets public expectations."

Kim (25), a graduate student living with two companion cats, said, "How can anyone commit violence or abuse against a living being that breathes and lives openly?" and added, "Punishments for animal abuse should be strengthened to make people realize the importance of life."

Meanwhile, efforts to prevent animal abuse are also gaining support in the political sphere. On the 28th of last month, the Cabinet meeting passed a revision to the Civil Act that recognizes animals not as objects but as animals themselves and grants them legal status. This revision adds Article 98-2 to the Civil Act, stating, "Animals are not objects."

The Ministry of Justice has been promoting this legal amendment considering the increasing number of households living with companion animals and the broad social consensus that animals should be protected and respected as living beings. Therefore, if this amendment passes the National Assembly, it is expected that the level of punishment and compensation for animal abuse will increase.