"Cut with a Cutter Knife in a Fit of Rage..." Horrific Animal Abuse... Animals Becoming Targets of Frustration

Increasingly Cruel Animal Abuse... Potential to Lead to Violent Crimes
Cat Rescued After Being Abused with a Knife, Leg Muscles Visible
Experts Say "Need to Improve 'Speciesism' Mindset... Strengthen Punishment for Animal Abuse"

A horrific animal abuse incident occurred where a cat suffered a serious injury after being stabbed in the left leg with a knife. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] There have been a series of cruel abuses committed against animals. These include tormenting them with sharp weapons or inflicting horrific abuse that practically endangers their lives. In particular, animal abuse can be a precursor to violent crimes, making it a significant social issue, and there is growing public demand to increase the severity of punishments.

On the 21st, in Cheongju, Chungbuk, a man in his 30s, Mr. A, was involved in an incident where he abused and abandoned a cat he had adopted by stabbing it with a cutter knife. The case came to light after Mr. B, who initially protected the cat and then sent it to Mr. A for adoption, reported the abuse. Mr. B posted about the incident and shared photos of the abused cat on the online community "Goyangiraseo Daehaengiya" (Lucky to be a Cat). The photos showed the cat severely injured, with deep wounds on its left leg exposing muscle.

Mr. B revealed that the cat had bleeding in its eye, and part of the left leg’s fascia and tail had been cut off. He said, "The leg’s nerves are dead, so the cat drags it around. The skin is better off being cut than necrotized, and due to the trauma from the assault, the eye can only perceive light. The vet said if it spreads to glaucoma, the eye will have to be removed." He added that the veterinarian who examined the cat concluded that the wounds appeared to be caused by a cutter knife rather than an accident.

Based on the vet’s opinion, after pressing Mr. A, Mr. B obtained a confession that "it was done in a fit of anger with a cutter knife." Mr. A apologized, saying, "When I found Jjang-i (the cat) again, I hated myself. I felt guilty every second on the way to the hospital seeing the wounds. My actions were unforgivable. I will never forget this." He continued, "My desire to find Jjang-i again was sincere. I will never ignore a suffering cat again," expressing remorse.

Animal abuse cases continue to occur without end, emerging as a social issue. [Image source=Pixabay]

Earlier, in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, there was also a case where a man brutally abused and killed 19 adopted dogs. In December last year, a man in his 40s, Mr. C, was arrested by the police on charges of adopting 19 dogs, including poodles, torturing them cruelly by submerging them underwater to suffocate or burning them with fire, and then abandoning them in apartment flower beds.

Mr. C showed sadistic tendencies by treating the abused dogs and then abusing them again. Cha Eun-young, head of "Gunsan Street Cat Care," who reported the case and accused Mr. C, pointed out that this was a "meticulous criminal case different from previous animal abuse" based on factors such as obsession with the specific breed poodles, targeting adopted rather than stray dogs, and burying them in the apartment complex.

The problem is that despite the steady increase in animal abuse crimes, few people are punished under the Animal Protection Act. According to data submitted by the Ministry of Justice and others to the National Assembly audit, from 2016 to October 2020, out of 3,398 people booked for violating the Animal Protection Act, more than half?1,741 people (51.2%)?were not prosecuted. Only two people (0.1%) were indicted in custody.

Concerns are growing as small and powerless animals increasingly become targets of human venting or are abused for unclear motives. Especially since animal abuse crimes are closely linked to violent crimes, lenient punishments for animal abuse could potentially foster violent crime.

Experts have pointed out that low punishment levels for animal abuse may generate more crimes. Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Federation, emphasized, "We need to raise the severity of punishments enough to serve as a deterrent and raise awareness that animal abuse is a crime."

He also criticized the judiciary for weak punishments compared to public sentiment demanding harsher penalties for animal abuse, stating, "The problem lies in the 'speciesism' mindset that ranks the value of life. We need to improve the perception that oppression and exploitation of animals are acceptable. Like the elderly, children, and women, animals should be considered socially vulnerable, and those who abuse animals must be severely punished."