A Puppy Buried Alive Underground... Reporter Says "It Was Very Emaciated at the Time of Rescue"
A dog that was buried alive in the ground was recently found in Jeju, prompting the police to launch an investigation. Photo by Online Community Screenshot.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid a recent surge in brutal animal abuse crimes, a dog buried alive in the ground was discovered in Jeju, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
The Jeju Western Police Station announced on the 20th that they began investigating after receiving a report of a dog suspected to have been abused. The dog was found by a resident on the 19th at 8:50 a.m. buried in the ground near Dogeuncheon in Naedo-dong, Jeju City, with everything except its nose covered by soil. It was also reported that stones had been placed on top of the soil where the dog was buried.
The informant posted on a secondhand goods trading site, saying, "An acquaintance found the dog and immediately rescued it. I reported it to the police," recalling the situation at the time: "The dog was very emaciated, trembling, and unable to eat anything."
After confirming the dog's registration chip, the police identified it as a poodle with an owner. The rescued dog was temporarily moved to a shelter through Jeju City Hall. The police are investigating the detailed circumstances.
On the 13th, the puppy 'Juhongi' was found with its snout and front paws tied. Photo by Hallim Shelter SNS screen capture.
Animal abuse cases are not new, but their frequency has recently increased significantly.
According to data titled 'Status of Animal Protection Act Violations in the Last 11 Years' received by Justice Party lawmaker Lee Eun-joo from the National Police Agency, a total of 992 violations of the Animal Protection Act occurred in 2020, with 1,014 people arrested. Compared to 78 arrests in 2010, the number of offenders violating the Animal Protection Act has increased more than tenfold.
However, despite the rise in animal abuse cases, the severity of punishments remains notably low. Among 4,358 offenders caught from 2010 to last year, 2,751 (63.1%) were sent to prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Of these, only five were actually detained, raising concerns that proper punishment is not being enforced.
Along with the increase in animal abuse cases, the types of abuse have also become more brutal.
On the 13th, a puppy named 'Juhongi' was found in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, with its muzzle and paws tied tightly with twine, sparking public outrage. At the time, Juhongi’s two front paws were bent behind its back, and the twine was tied so tightly that it was difficult to cut. Juhongi is currently recovering in temporary care.
There have also been cases of people abusing their own pets. On the 8th, a video surfaced showing a dog being dragged on the road while tied to the back of a vehicle in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, causing controversy. Notably, bloodstains from the dog remained on the road where the vehicle passed. The owner reportedly relinquished ownership of the dog.
Meanwhile, according to the comprehensive revision of the Animal Protection Act passed by the National Assembly plenary session on the 5th, anyone committing animal abuse can face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. Additionally, those who abuse animals must complete up to 200 hours of counseling and educational programs.
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