The Abuser of Stray Cats in Cheonan Is a Famous Chef... SNS Closed After Controversy

Swinging Metal Rod at Stray Cats
"They Keep Tearing Garbage Bags," Statement
Person Gained Fame Running Dessert Cafe

Last month, an incident occurred in Cheonan, Chungnam, where a man in his 30s abused a stray cat. Animal Citizens Group SNS

A wave of controversy has erupted as it was revealed that the perpetrator of a stray cat abuse case in Cheonan, Chungnam, is a famous chef.

On the 26th, Cheonan Newspaper reported, "Mr. A, who broke into a mart located in Seongseong-dong, Cheonan last month and abused a stray cat cared for by the owner, has been confirmed to be a chef running a dessert cafe." Mr. A is suspected of breaking into the mart parking lot around midnight on the 4th of last month and abusing the stray cat by hitting it with a metal rod.

According to Cheonan Newspaper, employees who had set up a feeding station on one side of the parking lot to care for the cats noticed the cats were missing and checked the closed-circuit television (CCTV), capturing evidence of abuse. Mr. A gave food to the stray cats to lure them closer and then swung an object presumed to be a metal rod. One cat staggered and fled but writhed in pain, while another kitten was caught with its body limp. Upon arrest, Mr. A stated the reason for the crime was, "The cats near my house kept tearing garbage bags, making a mess and it was unpleasant to see," and that he intended to "catch the cats and move them elsewhere."

Mr. A had gained fame through media exposure and lectures and was known to be active on social networking services (SNS). After it was revealed that he was the perpetrator of the stray cat abuse case, he closed his SNS accounts. A police official told Cheonan Newspaper, "There has been no further statement beyond the existing testimony," and warned, "Personal information has been indiscriminately exposed online, causing disadvantages such as decreased sales."

After the incident became public, the animal rights civic group RAY posted a petition on Campaigns urging strict punishment for Mr. A. More than 10,000 citizens participated in the petition, expressing their anger over the case. An animal protection activist commented, "Although exposing personal information is not desirable, the fact that the abuser is a well-known chef seems to have intensified public outrage." Another activist also urged strict punishment for Mr. A, stating, "Similar and copycat crimes are increasing daily, and the age of perpetrators is getting younger."