Proliferation of Express Bus Parcel Transactions
Lack of Punishment Regulations under Current Law
Parcel Transactions Only Prohibited for Pets
Recently, the culture of keeping exotic pets has become widespread, but it has been revealed that a significant number of pets are still traded via courier delivery. This is a kind of loophole business exploiting the fact that, under current law, reptiles, hamsters, and the like can be transported like cargo without violating regulations.
On the 20th, searching for hamster, reptile, and bird adoption on a portal site revealed dozens of online pet adoption businesses in operation. When accessing the homepage of one reptile adoption company and clicking the purchase button, a choice appeared to select one of the delivery methods: in-person pickup, express bus cargo delivery, or quick service. Bird adoption companies also offered delivery options in the same way.
Most companies operating delivery services recommended consumers use express bus cargo delivery. Recently, as some courier companies have refused to ship live animals, these businesses have found a workaround. In the case of express bus cargo delivery, the seller visits the terminal directly to send the package, allowing the consumer to receive the animal on the same day.
One company promoted, "If animals are shipped via regular courier, they may suffer stress and die," adding, "Express bus cargo delivery is recommended as it can safely transport animals."
However, animals placed in the cargo compartment of express buses are exposed to noise and vibrations for extended periods while traveling at speeds of 100 km/h, causing severe stress. There have also been cases of animals dying from heat during delivery. In fact, on one company's user review board, a post stated, "I received a hermit crab via express bus cargo delivery, but when I opened the box, it was not moving," and "It died on the second day of delivery."
Despite repeated cases of animals dying during delivery, it is legally difficult to regulate courier transactions. This is because the current Animal Protection Act stipulates that only six types of companion animals, such as cats and dogs, must be delivered through animal transporters designated by law.
Furthermore, among animal sellers, only those selling companion animals are subject to these delivery regulations. In other words, reptiles and birds are not considered companion animals, so sellers transporting them via courier as general cargo are not subject to punishment.
The purchase page on a reptile sales company's website lists courier delivery as a shipping option. [Image source=Online homepage screen capture]
An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, "The compliance requirements for operators specified in the Animal Protection Act are limited to companion animals," adding, "The regulation that animals must be delivered through officially licensed animal transporters applies only to companion animal businesses."
Previously, a bill was proposed to prevent indiscriminate courier transactions of general animals, but it failed to pass the National Assembly and was discarded. Former Justice Party lawmaker Lee Jeong-mi proposed an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act during the 20th National Assembly, which included measures to ban courier transport of wild animals.
Some argue that if an animal dies during courier delivery, the seller could be charged with animal cruelty.
Han Jae-eon, a lawyer at the Animal Freedom Union Legal Support Center, explained, "If someone intentionally causes pain or neglects an animal, it can be considered animal cruelty," adding, "Deliberately shipping animals via courier knowing they could die from heat or cold can also be seen as intentional."
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