20 Abandoned Dogs on Suraksan... 40-Year-Old Prosecuted

A man in his 40s accused of abandoning 20 pet dogs on Suraksan Mountain has been brought to trial.

The Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jang-woo) announced on the 16th that Mr. A was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

Mr. A is suspected of abandoning 20 pet dogs he raised at a farm in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi Province, on Suraksan Mountain last December.

Stock photo of a stray dog.

Among them, one dog died at the scene, and the remaining 19 were rescued. Sixteen have been adopted, two are receiving treatment at an animal hospital affiliated with Nowon-gu, and one was euthanized.

The prosecution believes Mr. A abandoned the dogs on the mountain due to economic reasons after attempting to make money by rehoming them. A prosecution official stated, "We will make every effort to ensure strict investigation of animal abuse offenders so that appropriate punishment corresponding to the crime can be imposed."