70-Year-Old Fined for Letting Retired Military Dog Fight, Causing Death of Neighbor's Cat

Watching a Cat Get Hurt Without Intervening
Chuncheon District Court Sentences 500,000 Won Fine

A man in his 70s who made his retired military dog fight with another person's cat, resulting in the cat's death, was sentenced to a fine. On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that Judge Shin Dong-il of the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 1 sentenced Mr. A (72), who was charged with property damage and violation of the Animal Protection Act, to a fine of 500,000 won.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of making his retired military dog, a Malinois, fight with Mr. B's cat near a cafe in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, last October, and failing to take any action despite seeing the military dog injure the cat, which eventually died.

The Malinois, also known as the Belgian Shepherd Malinois, is a dog originating from Belgium. It looks similar to the German Shepherd but weighs less. Its weight is usually around 30 kg. The Malinois is highly intelligent and easy to train, making it suitable as a military dog, police dog, and herding dog. Its body color is yellowish-brown or brown, while its eyes, ears, and mouth are black, which is a distinctive feature.

Breeds used as military dogs must have stamina, physique, and intelligence, so German Shepherds, Malinois, and Labrador Retrievers are commonly used. Military dogs undergo retirement procedures when they are injured, fail training, or grow old. Retired military dogs are sometimes given away for free to civilians through the Army Military Dog Training Unit and the Air Force Military Dog Training Battalion.

Judge Shin pointed out, "The defendant's guilt is not light as he neglected to prevent his dog from causing the death of the victim's cat." He added, "The sentence was determined considering that the defendant reached a settlement with the victim and has no prior similar offenses," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.