Samsungcheon Duck Family Injured by Stone Throwing... "Teenage Males Threw Stones," Witnesses Testify One After Another

Two Ducks Facing Blindness and Unable to Walk
Six Ducks Also Killed in June 2022

Following the mass killing of six ducks in Dobong-gu, Seoul, another incident occurred in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, where a duck family was pelted with stones, putting them at risk of blindness. On the 14th, a post appeared on an online community stating, "A duck family living in Samsungcheon, Anyang, was pelted with stones."

The duck family (left) captured in a video taken by past residents and the appearance of being at risk of blindness due to stone throwing.
[Photo source=Online Community]

In videos taken by residents in the past, the duck family was seen waddling along the riverbank, but photos from the 7th show that one duck is at risk of blindness, and another is unable to stand due to leg inflammation.

Following the mass killing of six ducks in a family in Dobong-gu, Seoul, another incident occurred in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, where a duck family was pelted with stones, putting them at risk of blindness. The video shows the duck family when they were healthy in the past.
[Photo source=Online community]

Many eyewitness accounts followed under the post. One netizen reported, "It is estimated to be a group of 5 to 6 male students who appear to be teenagers. Over two days, they threw stones at the ducks and caused harm, shouting and cursing even during early morning hours." Another netizen said, "I witnessed them chasing the fleeing ducks and throwing stones, so I warned them once. They seemed to stop and leave, but returned the next early morning to throw stones and shout at the ducks again." They added, "When I reported it to the police, they fled on bicycles." The author of the post stated, "(The injured duck family) is being cared for by nearby apartment residents" and "They are receiving hospital treatment."

According to photos posted on an online community, one duck is reportedly at risk of blindness, while another cannot stand due to leg inflammation.
[Photo by Online Community]

Previously, in June 2022, a duck family living in a stream in Dobong-gu, Seoul, was killed by two teenage students who pelted them with stones. The culprits who killed six mallard ducks by throwing stones at them in Banghakcheon were identified as two teenagers.

At the time, the police distributed warning notices around the crime scene stating that "If you do not surrender, you may face the harshest penalties" to prevent further crimes. However, the suspects did not surrender and were eventually caught by the police. They reportedly told the police, "We did it out of curiosity" and "We didn't know it was a crime."

As incidents of ducks being injured by stone-throwing repeat, netizens are raising their voices, saying, "All life is precious and valuable," and "The seriousness of animal abuse must be made known."

Although the Animal Protection Act has been amended and penalties have been strengthened, cases leading to actual legal punishment are rare. Under the current law, anyone who causes injury to an animal using physical methods or tools may face up to 2 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million won.
[Photo by Online Community]

Although penalties have been strengthened with the revision of the Animal Protection Act, actual legal punishments are rare. Under current law, anyone who uses physical means such as tools to injure an animal can face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. If an animal is killed without proper authorization or license, the penalty can be up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. However, due to the absence of sentencing guidelines from the Supreme Court, the severity of punishment varies according to the judge's values and discretion. Therefore, there are calls for the establishment of sentencing guidelines and legislative improvements.