"There Are Marks of Dog's Head Being Hit"
"Also Suspected to Have Been Sexually Abused"
A puppy suspected of having been sexually abused by a person was found in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
On the 11th, the Gimpo Police Station announced that the animal protection organization 'Naesarang Badugi' reported an unknown perpetrator to the police on the 8th for violating the Animal Protection Act.
A dog found with its body mutilated near a park in Yangchon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Naesarang Badugi SNS]
The organization reportedly discovered and rescued a puppy with severely damaged genitalia near a park in Yangchon-eup, Gimpo City, on the 2nd, and subsequently filed a complaint. The group claimed, "There are marks on the puppy's head as if someone struck it, and based on the genitalia, it is presumed to have been sexually abused." The police, who responded to the report, are investigating whether abuse actually occurred by reviewing nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) and vehicle black box footage.
A police official stated, "It is not yet clear whether abuse occurred," and added, "We plan to proceed with the investigation while also reviewing the opinions of the animal hospital currently treating the puppy."
Meanwhile, Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the Animal Protection Act stipulates that no one shall kill or cause the death of an animal. Violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. Even if the animal does not die, causing injury can result in imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.
However, cases leading to actual punishment for animal abuse are rare. Under current law, animals are legally treated as property. Article 98 of the Civil Act defines property as "tangible objects, electricity, and other natural forces that can be controlled," and treats animals as tangible property.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
