Cat tied to a rope drowns at Tongyeong beach... Outrage over 'animal abuse'

Presumed Drowned During High Tide

A cat was found dead tied to a rope in the sea off Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, sparking public outrage.

According to Yonhap News, at around 8 a.m. on the 22nd, a report was received that an animal was floating motionless in the sea in front of the walking trail on Bodwiseom Island at Misu Marine Park, Misu-dong, Tongyeong City.

A cat tied to a rope and dead. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The dispatched coast guard confirmed that the reported animal was a cat, found dead floating while tied to a rope connected between the cracks of seaside rocks. Tongyeong City and the coast guard estimated that someone tied the cat to the cracks in the seaside rocks using a rope during low tide, and as the tide rose, the cat was unable to escape and drowned. The coast guard handed over the cat's body to Tongyeong City.

Netizens who learned of the incident reacted with comments such as, "Shouldn't this be investigated as abuse?", "The person who cruelly killed the cat like that?would they not do the same to people? They must be found and made to pay for their crime," "They deserve divine punishment," and "I hope the culprit is caught and severely punished."

Meanwhile, under current law, anyone who causes injury to an animal using physical tools or methods can face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. Additionally, causing an animal's death without proper authorization or license can result in up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. However, there are few cases that lead to actual legal punishment, prompting calls for stricter penalties.