Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Crack Down on Animal Abuse in Gwangju
Rescue 51 Dogs... Obtain Abandonment Agreement from Owner
At a dog meat farm in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, eight dog carcasses and a grave containing bones estimated to belong to dozens of animals were discovered.
The Gyeonggi Province Civil Special Judicial Police Unit (Special Judicial Police) raided a dog meat farm in Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si on the 24th after receiving a tip from a civilian and found carcasses and bones. At this dog meat farm, 51 live dogs were also confined in iron cages. The carcasses found at the scene were collected by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency to determine the exact cause of death. Most of the animal bones were from dogs, with some goats and cats also included.
On the 24th, the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare conducted an inspection at a dog meat farm in Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Since dog carcasses were found at the site, the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police have launched an investigation into the farm owner (62) on suspicion of animal cruelty and violations of the Animal Protection Act. They are also investigating unreported food waste disposal and unreported livestock manure treatment facilities. According to the Animal Protection Act, if an animal requires veterinary treatment but is not treated and dies as a result, the offender may face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.
A representative of the provincial Special Judicial Police said, "Most of the dog carcasses were found inside the iron cages, and it seems they died because their illnesses were not properly treated and they were neglected," adding, "The farm owner is responding as if asking, 'Why is this a crime?'"
This crackdown occurred just three days after Governor Kim instructed inspections and a comprehensive crackdown on areas suspected of animal abuse on the 21st to prevent a recurrence of the "Yangpyeong dog carcass incident."
On the 25th, the day after the crackdown, Governor Kim posted on Facebook titled "We will create a Gyeonggi Province where residents and companion animals are happy together," stating, "As a result of the active actions taken by the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police, further abuse was prevented," and "We deeply thank the residents who reported the scene. We ask all residents to immediately report any animal abuse around them in the future." He added, "Seventeen percent of households in Gyeonggi Province live with companion animals, the highest number in the country. While crackdowns are important, we must foster a culture of adoption rather than buying and selling companion animals. Gyeonggi Province, which established the first 'Animal Welfare Bureau' within a government organization, will take the lead."
The "Yangpyeong dog carcass incident" refers to the discovery of about 1,400 companion dog carcasses at a house in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, on the 4th of this month. The homeowner, a man in his 60s who runs a junk shop (currently detained), was investigated for bringing in companion dogs with reduced market value from pet auctions and other places since June 2020, paying 10,000 won per dog, and starving them to death at his home. During police questioning, the man stated, "While running a junk shop, I took dogs that people could no longer keep for money, but I starved them because the price of dog food was expensive."
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