Abandoned Dog with Full-Body Burns Dies in Paju... Police Investigate Following Similar Cases

Full-body burns suspected to be caused by abuse
Another dog died from abuse within 1km on the same day

An abandoned dog with full-body burns suspected to be caused by abuse was rescued in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, but ultimately died. Furthermore, another puppy was found dead with similar burn injuries near the location where the abandoned dog was discovered, prompting the police to investigate the perpetrator. On the 26th, Kukmin Ilbo reported on the abandoned dog case with full-body burns, citing the missing and report board of the abandoned animal platform 'Paw in Hand.'

An abandoned dog with full-body burns suspected to be caused by abuse was rescued in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, but ultimately died. Furthermore, another puppy found dead with similar burn injuries near the location where the abandoned dog was discovered has been found, and the police are investigating the perpetrator. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article.
Photo by Asia Economy

Mr. A, who first discovered the abandoned dog, found it with full-body burns around 2 p.m. on the 23rd and immediately reported it. Subsequently, the dog was rescued by Paju City and the Korea Animal Rescue Management Association. However, the dog with full-body burns died within a day of being rescued. Mr. A told Kukmin Ilbo, "At the time of discovery, the dog had burns covering more than one-third of its body and was breathing heavily," adding, "It appeared to have lost vision in both eyes as it bumped into nearby objects."

The rescue team suspected that the full-body burns were caused by abuse. Moreover, it was identified that another puppy had died from similar abuse. A representative from the Paju City Animal Protection Team, which rescued the dog, said, "Given the dog's condition at the time of rescue, animal abuse was suspected," and added, "After rescuing this dog, the police contacted us. On the same day, another puppy was reported to have died from abuse about 1 km away from the rescue site."

The other puppy's body was reported to have severe damage, with the hip area burned by a torch. The official stated, "Both puppies were found on the same day, around the same time and place, and it appears they were abused by the same person," adding, "The rescued dog is presumed to have been found wandering after escaping from the abuse scene." A Paju Police Station official said, "At 9:38 a.m. on the 23rd, a report was received stating 'a dog butcher is slaughtering dogs,' and officers were dispatched." The abused dog is known to have died. The perpetrator was caught at the scene and is under investigation for violating the Animal Protection Act.

Meanwhile, on the 26th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the 'Basic Plan to End Dog Meat Consumption,' which was deliberated and finalized by the Dog Meat Consumption Termination Committee. This plan contains specific solutions by sector to end dog meat consumption by 2027. The basic plan aims for the complete termination of dog meat consumption by 2027 and presents concrete implementation measures based on three main strategies: 'incentives for early closure or business cessation by industry,' 'establishment of a seamless termination implementation system,' and 'expansion of social consensus.'

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, from February 7, 2027, the breeding, slaughtering, distribution, and sale of dogs for consumption will be completely prohibited, with a three-year grace period.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Looking at the main points, first, support will be provided for the closure or cessation of 5,898 dog meat industry businesses. All 5,898 businesses in the dog meat industry, which reported their operational status under the 'Dog Meat Consumption Termination Act,' have submitted plans for closure or cessation, and the government has decided to actively support the smooth implementation of these plans.

The support funds included in next year's government budget amount to a total of 109.5 billion KRW, including 56.2 billion KRW for closure promotion and 30.5 billion KRW for residual facility value compensation for farm owners. The final budget will be confirmed in December after National Assembly budget review. The enforcement decree, which includes support for closure or cessation of the dog meat industry, establishment of the basic plan to end dog meat consumption, formation and operation of the Dog Meat Consumption Termination Committee, and standards for imposing fines, is scheduled to be fully implemented after February 2027.