"Threatened to Kill Pet Dog" Father Causes Disturbance in Front of Daughters... Child Abuse 'Guilty'

Fine of 5 Million Won and Employment Ban in Child Institutions
Prosecutors: "Abusive Acts Harmful to Emotional Development"

A man in his 40s who, while intoxicated, caused a disturbance holding a weapon and threatening to kill his pet dog in front of his four teenage daughters was found guilty of child abuse.

On the 18th, Judge Kwak Gyeong-pyeong of the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 2 sentenced A (45), who was charged with child abuse causing injury, to a fine of 5 million won and prohibited him from working in child-related institutions for three years.

On the 14th of this month, child abuse prevention education using dolls is being conducted at the Gwangju Buk-gu Office Workplace Daycare Center. The photo is not related to the article content.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On March 5th last year, around 2 a.m., A, intoxicated at his home in Jung-gu, Incheon, caused a disturbance saying he would kill the pet dog if it bit him or his family, in the presence of his wife B (43) and their four teenage daughters.

During this incident, he also pushed his wife B, who was trying to stop him, causing her to hit a drawer and sustain a 4 cm injury on her right elbow.

The prosecution judged that A committed emotional abuse that harmed the mental health and development of the children.

Judge Kwak stated, "A committed the crime during the probation period after receiving a suspended prison sentence for child abuse. However, considering that the pet dog frequently bit him and his family, that the crime was committed impulsively under the influence of alcohol, that he admitted his wrongdoing, and that the victims have petitioned for leniency," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Meanwhile, C (44), a man in his 40s who verbally abused his two young sons because his wife did not return early from a company dinner, received a suspended prison sentence.

On August 19th last year, around 12:20 a.m., at his home in Nam-gu, Gwangju, C was charged with emotional abuse for saying to his two young sons, "You won't see mom anymore," and throwing or knocking over a laundry drying rack and a storage cabinet, stepping on them, because his wife’s return from the company dinner was delayed.

Although C’s wife, who is raising the children, expressed that she did not want him punished, Judge Lee Hye-rim of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 3 sentenced C to six months in prison with a two-year suspension, considering his history of criminal punishment for violent acts and multiple family protection orders. Probation and 40 hours of alcohol treatment lectures were also ordered.