Adoption of 19 Dogs Leads to Horrific Torture... Owner's 'Cruel Abuse' Sparks Outrage [Hello? Animal]

Adopted 19 Dogs, Tortured and Killed... 40s Public Corporation Employee Under Investigation
1,014 Animal Protection Law Violators Caught Last Year... Record High
Experts Say "Animal Abuse Punishment Must Be Strengthened"

The body of a small dog adopted and abused by Mr. A, a man in his 40s accused of dog abuse and killing. Photo by Gunsan Gilgoyangidolbomi

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Incidents of cruel abuse and killing of voiceless animals are occurring repeatedly, becoming a social issue. Recently, it was revealed that a man in his 40s was investigated by the police on charges of torturing and abusing more than ten dogs he adopted from various parts of the country, causing a stir. This man reportedly committed all kinds of abuse and torture, including water torture and fire torture, and abandoned the corpses in apartment flower beds and other places.

As animal abuse cases continue, calls to strengthen related punishments are growing louder. Although incidents of cruel animal abuse are increasing, actual punishment of perpetrators is rare, which intensifies these demands. Experts have suggested the need to strengthen penalties related to animal abuse.

Recently, in Gunsan, Jeonbuk Province, allegations arose that a man in his 40s abused and killed 19 dogs, prompting a police investigation.

According to the Gunsan Police Station on the 6th, the police are investigating Mr. A (41) on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act. Mr. A is accused of adopting 19 dogs, including poodles, torturing and killing them, and abandoning their corpses. It is understood that he cruelly tortured and killed the dogs by burning them with fire or submerging them in water to suffocate them.

The police confirmed eight corpses among the 19 dogs Mr. A kept through on-site verification and other procedures.

Mr. A, who works for a public enterprise, was found to have adopted dogs from across the country, including Seoul and Gyeonggi, since early this year. He reportedly reassured dog owners by showing his public enterprise employee ID and photos of his company housing.

When dog owners inquired about their dogs, he allegedly evaded by saying things like "the leash came off and it disappeared." Suspecting Mr. A, one dog owner posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 29th of last month, urging an investigation, stating, "The person who adopted the poodle keeps saying the dog disappeared."

Animal abuse cases have been steadily increasing. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Pixabay.

Such incidents of cruel animal abuse are steadily increasing. According to the 'Status of Violations of the Animal Protection Act over the Past 11 Years' submitted by Justice Party lawmaker Eunju Lee to the National Police Agency last October, there were a total of 992 violations of the Animal Protection Act last year, with 1,014 people arrested. The number of offenders arrested for violating the Animal Protection Act steadily increased from 78 in 2010 to over 1,000 for the first time last year.

However, related punishments remain minimal. Among the 4,358 offenders caught for violating the Animal Protection Act over the past 10 years from 2010 to last year, 2,751 (63.1%) were sent to prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Only five were detained.

Ultimately, under the current Animal Protection Act, killing or abusing animals can result in up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won, but actual imprisonment-level punishments are extremely rare.

Conversation among participants in the KakaoTalk group chat room 'Gore Jeonmunbang'. Photo by Animal Freedom Alliance blog

Previously, the main suspect Lee in the so-called 'Gore Specialist Chatroom Animal Abuse' case, who cruelly killed stray cats and other animals and shared the process in a group chat, was sentenced to four months in prison, a fine of one million won, and two years of probation. 'Gore Specialist Chatroom' is a KakaoTalk open chatroom where participants share methods of capturing and dismembering wild animals and related experiences.

About 80 participants, including minors, shared photos and videos of animal abuse in this chatroom, causing public outrage, but the punishment was criticized as too lenient compared to the cruelty of the crimes.

Given this situation, calls for strict punishment of animal abuse crimes are growing. Office worker Mr. Kim (25) said, "With such weak punishments, animal abuse will never be eradicated. Please strengthen the punishment for animal abusers," adding, "Hurting animals is, in a way, a precursor to violent crimes. Stronger punishments are needed."

Another office worker, Mr. Lee (26), also said, "There are continuous calls to strengthen punishments for animal abusers, but the law cannot keep up, which is unfortunate. It seems too lenient toward criminals."

In February, the Animal Protection Act was amended to strengthen penalties for abuse leading to animal death from the previous "up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million won" to "up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won," but it is still criticized as a lenient punishment.

Experts emphasize that awareness of animal abuse as a serious social crime must spread further. Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Alliance, said, "Consideration for socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children is increasing, but awareness of animals is particularly backward," and pointed out, "Recognition that animal abuse is also a serious social crime must come first."

He added, "Measures are needed to permanently prohibit people with a history of animal abuse from owning animals," and "Especially in Korea, punishments for animal abuse are very lenient. Laws need to be detailed and systematized, and punishments for animal abuse must be strengthened."