'Stray Cat Dismemberment' ... Another Case of Cat Abuse Occurs in Pohang

Dead bodies found at fish farm near Homigot, Pohang... Surviving cats also discovered

The site of the abandoned aquaculture farm in Pohang shared on Instagram by the animal rights group Kara. Photo by Kara

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] Five to seven feral cats with bodies dismembered or severely mutilated were found in Pohang, Gyeongbuk.

On the 21st, according to the Pohang Southern Police Station, the animal rights organization 'Kara' discovered about five or six severely mutilated cat carcasses at an abandoned fish farm in Nam-gu and reported it to the police.

Earlier, Kara received reports related to dismembered cat carcasses through social media (SNS) and closely communicated with the informants before dispatching to the site on the same day.

At the fish farm near Homigot in Pohang, the crime scene, numerous dismembered feral cat carcasses were found. Cat tails and bodies were scattered around the fish farm, and among the killed cats, there were reportedly pregnant cats (man-sak-myo).

The fish farm where the cat carcasses were found is large in area and deeper than the height of an adult male, making it structurally difficult for cats to escape on their own.

Additionally, traps used to catch nutrias and other animals were found around the fish farm. These traps are known to potentially harm the captured animals and are rarely used for cats or similar animals.

Animal organizations suspect ongoing cat abuse based on the reports and these circumstances.

A Kara representative said during a live SNS broadcast at the scene, "We will request various measures from local government officials to prevent further abuse," and added, "We will submit a complaint to the police and verify the residence of the suspected perpetrator."

Stray cats were found killed at a fish farm near Pohang. Photo by Animal Rights Action 'Kara' Instagram capture

A representative from the Intelligent Crime Investigation Team of the Pohang Southern Police Station, investigating the case, told Asia Economy, "The suspect’s custody has been secured," and added, "(Regarding continuous cat abuse charges) the investigation is ongoing, so confirmation will only be possible once a certain level of investigation is completed."

Several surviving cats were also found at the fish farm, and animal organizations are currently rescuing and protecting them. Rescue operations took place from dawn to morning.

Meanwhile, cat abuse incidents have been occurring consecutively in Pohang. In January, several feral cats were killed, and in 2019 and 2020, a series of cat killings occurred at a university in Pohang.