"Claims Self-Defense" 70-Year-Old Enters Neighbor's House and Beats Dog to Death

Despite Owner's Plea, Beaten at Home in Front of Eyes
Court Rejects Both Appeals... Upholds Original Verdict

A man in his 70s who brutally beat a neighbor’s dog to death for barking at him was again sentenced to a fine in the second trial.

On the 20th, the Criminal Division 2 of the Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Court (Chief Judge Kwon Sang-pyo) announced that it had sentenced A (74), who was charged with violating the Animal Protection Act, property damage, trespassing, and assault, to a fine of 6 million won, the same as the original trial.

On August 23, 2022, around 3 p.m., A entered the home of his neighbor B (75, female), despite B’s attempts to stop him, because B’s Maltese dog (4 years old) was barking at him.

He punched the dog several times, slammed it to the floor, and stomped on it, and the dog eventually died on the spot. A also pushed B, who was trying to enter the room holding the dog, causing her to fall to the floor, assaulting her as well.

The appearance of the deceased while alive (left) and the funeral being held after death (right). [Source=Yonhap News]

In the appeal trial, A claimed that he entered the house with B’s permission and that his actions constituted self-defense or excessive defense. He argued that he was only trying to fend off the dog that attacked first.

On the other hand, the prosecution requested a six-month prison sentence, citing that A committed the crime during a probation period for obstruction of official duties and trespassing.

However, the sentencing judgment of the appellate court was no different from that of the first trial.

The court pointed out, “The victim appears to have suffered considerable mental and economic distress, having witnessed the assault and death of her pet right before her eyes.”

It added, “However, considering that the defendant did not seem to have visited with the intent to attack the victim or the pet from the beginning, and that village residents also petitioned for leniency, it is difficult to see the original sentence as too heavy or too light,” and dismissed both parties’ appeals.