Establishing Investigation Network with Relevant Departments of Autonomous Districts and Cities... Creating a Cooperative System for Animal Abuse Investigations
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 7th that it has established a dedicated animal abuse investigation team consisting of 12 specialized investigators, including veterinarians, within the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit to protect animal rights and create a safe environment for companion animals in Seoul, as animal abuse cases continue to rise annually.
According to recent data from the National Police Agency and others, violations of the Animal Protection Act increased more than threefold over six years, from 303 cases in 2016 to 992 cases in 2020 and 1,072 cases in 2021. Animal abuse incidents have been steadily increasing each year, and the methods used have become more cruel.
In response, the Seoul Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, under the Judicial Police Duties Act, was additionally designated by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office last September to investigate the Animal Protection Act field, expanding beyond its existing investigation scope of food and environment, and has begun full-scale investigative activities. The newly established dedicated animal abuse investigation team prioritized assigning veterinarians and investigators with over five years of experience in investigations. They also received direct training from frontline police officers with extensive experience in animal protection organizations and animal abuse investigations, enhancing investigators' awareness of animal rights and their investigative expertise.
The main targets of investigation for animal abuse include: ? acts that intentionally or cruelly cause the death of animals; ? acts that inflict physical pain or injury without justifiable reason; ? capturing and selling or killing abandoned or lost animals; ? selling, exhibiting, delivering, screening, or posting photos or videos of animal abuse acts on the internet; ? illegal business activities such as unregistered or unauthorized animal sales and animal production businesses.
According to Article 46 of the Animal Protection Act, acts of abuse causing the death of an animal are punishable by up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW. Acts causing injury or disease to animals are punishable by up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million KRW. Additionally, illegal business activities without authorization or registration are subject to fines of up to 5 million KRW.
Kim Myung-joo, head of the Civil Affairs Judicial Police Unit, stated, “As the population of companion animal owners increases, public awareness of animal rights and respect for life is rising, but animal abuse cases continue to increase annually, and the methods are becoming more cruel. We will conduct strict investigations upon discovering illegal acts of animal abuse.”
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