A Man Abandons a Dog at an Unmanned Store... Captured on CCTV

Maximum Fine of 3 Million Won for Violating the Animal Protection Act

Late at night, a man was caught leaving a puppy at an unmanned store in Busan. An animal protection organization reported the man to the police on charges of animal abandonment.

According to the animal protection organization Life on the 22nd, at around 11:55 PM on the 10th, a man estimated to be in his 50s or 60s left a puppy at an unmanned store in Yeonje-gu, Busan, and disappeared. The puppy is a mixed breed about 5 months old, and the man has not returned to look for the puppy for two weeks.

[Photo by Animal Protection Organization Life]

The organization responded to a report from the unmanned store owner and checked the puppy's condition and closed-circuit television (CCTV). As a result, they concluded that the puppy, which had been in a home, was likely abandoned and reported the man to Yeonje Police Station on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

Shim In-seop, the representative of Life, said, "The puppy is currently under Life's protection," adding, "Since the puppy shows no wild traits and is presumed to have been raised at home, and the man who left the puppy at the unmanned store is suspected of abandonment, we have reported him to the police."

According to the Animal Protection Act revised in 2021, pets must not be abandoned just because the owner can no longer care for them, and in unavoidable cases, consultation with animal protection organizations is required. Violators who abandon pets may face a fine of up to 3 million won. Additionally, abandoning a dangerous dog can result in imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of abandoned animals left on the streets has exceeded 100,000 annually over the past five years: 102,593 in 2017, 121,077 in 2018, 135,791 in 2019, 130,401 in 2020, and 118,273 in 2021.

At the end of last year, 20 puppies were collectively abandoned near Suraksan Mountain, causing shock. The puppies found at the scene were severely emaciated, having not eaten properly for several days. The suspect in this case was recently sent to the prosecution without detention.