Former Animal Protection Group Leader for 'Euthanasia of Rescued Animals' Sentenced to Prison in First Trial

"Structure Without Considering Capacity... Murder After Drug Anesthesia"

Park So-yeon, the representative of the animal rights organization "CARE," which sparked controversy over the euthanasia of rescued animals, is answering questions from reporters on the morning of April 29, 2019, as she enters the courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, for a warrant hearing. Park is facing charges including violation of the Animal Protection Act and embezzlement in the course of duty.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

"The end does not justify the means. Even if it is a civic group activity for the public good, it must not go beyond the limits allowed by law." (Judge)

Park So-yeon, former CEO of CARE, who was prosecuted on charges of euthanizing rescued animals, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

On the afternoon of the 14th, Judge Shim Hyun-geun of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 11 sentenced Park, who was indicted on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act and theft, to two years in prison, stating, "The responsibility leading to the crime is not light. Punishment commensurate with responsibility is inevitable."

Judge Shim said, "While engaging in civic group activities to prevent animal abuse, multiple related laws were violated, and in the process, the property rights, residential peace, honor, and personal information of others were repeatedly infringed. Some of these occurred even after this trial began," and "Without seriously considering the capacity to accommodate the rescued animals, they were so focused on rescue activities that when space became insufficient, some animals were anesthetized and caused to die using drugs without proper procedures."

However, he added, "Considering the attitude toward the trial comprehensively, there is no concern of flight," and did not order detention in court.

Regarding the former CARE Animal Management Director who assisted Park in euthanizing animals, he was exempted from punishment, considering that he fully admitted to the crime and was recognized as a public interest whistleblower.

Park was indicted without detention on charges of euthanizing 98 animals between 2015 and 2018 to secure space in animal shelters and reduce treatment costs (violation of the Animal Protection Act). On August 15, 2018, the day before Malbok (the hottest period of summer), she was also charged with unlawfully entering two breeding facilities owned by others at dawn and secretly taking five dogs worth 1.3 million won.

During the trial, Park claimed innocence, stating, "I have rescued as many animals as possible from slaughter, and euthanized about 10% of the rescued animals humanely and without pain," but the first trial court did not accept this.

Meanwhile, Park previously won a civil lawsuit against netizens who left malicious comments about her.