Stray Dogs Neglected in Poor Conditions Found at Gyeongbuk Cheongdo-gun Directly Managed Animal Shelter
Animal Protection Group: "70% of Admitted Stray Dogs Euthanized or Died Naturally... Animal Abuse"
Cheongdo-gun Apologizes, Promises to Strengthen Management Responsibility
An allegation has been raised that abandoned dogs are being subjected to animal abuse, including being left in poor conditions, at a directly managed animal shelter in Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. Photo by Beagle Rescue Network, an animal protection organization, Facebook capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Allegations have been raised that abandoned dogs are being subjected to animal abuse in poor conditions at an animal shelter directly operated by Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk, where dogs have burned to death or eaten corpses. In response to the controversy, Cheongdo-gun apologized and announced it would strengthen management responsibilities.
The animal protection organization Beagle Rescue Network posted on Facebook on the 17th a post titled "Abandoned Dogs at Cheongdo Shelter Burning to Death and Eating Corpses," exposing the reality of the Cheongdo-gun directly operated animal shelter.
Beagle Rescue Network visited a directly operated animal shelter in Cheongdo last November. Despite being operated directly by Cheongdo-gun, the shelter was in such poor condition that it consisted of only three containers. The organization said, "A fire broke out due to negligence in managing the containers just three days before our visit," adding, "All 16 abandoned dogs being sheltered in the container that caught fire painfully burned to death."
The organization filed a complaint with Cheongdo-gun. Cheongdo-gun reportedly promised efforts such as increasing personnel, improving the environment, and expanding facilities.
However, the organization claimed that even after two months, Cheongdo-gun did not keep its promises. After revisiting the shelter on the 13th, the organization described, "The moment we opened the container door, it was hell itself, utter chaos."
The organization stated, "The food bowls were all empty and covered in filth, and a dog with a severely injured front leg dangling was left unattended. Another dog was dying on filthy waste," adding, "In one corner of the container, there was even a dog eating the corpse of another dog." They also said, "70% of the abandoned dogs admitted to this shelter last year died either by euthanasia or natural causes."
The organization appealed, "Cheongdo-gun, which has a legal obligation to protect animals, is committing animal abuse by neglecting animals without proper animal shelter facilities," and "There is no reason for innocent abandoned dogs to suffer in hell due to Cheongdo-gun’s complete lack of willingness to improve."
All the abandoned dogs at this shelter were rescued by the animal protection group "Yugidongmul-ui Eomma Appa" (Parents of Abandoned Animals). However, most of the rescued dogs are reported to be in poor health. Within one day of rescue, two of the 18 abandoned dogs died, and seven were infected with parvovirus. Parvovirus is a highly fatal infectious disease that causes death through various complications such as gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, four dogs tested positive for coronavirus enteritis, and their nutritional status was also poor.
Cheongdo-gun stated in a press release, "We deeply apologize for hurting the hearts of animal lovers due to immature management," and "We will build a new abandoned dog protection center and strengthen management responsibilities."
The organization said, "To ensure Cheongdo-gun’s promises do not become temporary measures to evade the current situation, we will revisit the shelter to confirm detailed plans for building and operating a new animal protection center."
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