Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province has stated that the recent controversy over alleged abuse at the animal protection center is "not true."
On the 18th, Gumi City clarified in a press release, "The allegations of 'abuse at the Gumi Animal Protection Center' raised by the MBC report are not true, and the center has taken appropriate protective measures in accordance with relevant regulations."
"Protective Measures for Stray Dog Carried Out According to Regulations"
According to Gumi City, the stray dog in question was transferred from the Companion Animal Rescue Association on March 4 and admitted to the protection center. The city explained that on March 5, they attempted to check the dog's health condition, but the examination was difficult due to the dog's extreme wariness and aggression.
On the same day, the center's contracted veterinarian conducted a medical examination, and as there was a possibility of mange infection, the dog was isolated and provided with water and food. The city stated that this can be verified through CCTV footage.
Regarding this, Gumi City emphasized, "The claim that the dog died of starvation is not true, as an X-ray examination conducted at an animal hospital on the 13th confirmed the presence of feces in the rectum." The city added that this X-ray examination was requested directly by the Companion Animal Rescue Association and that the claim was based on the examination results.
"Cause of Death Was Renal Failure, Unrelated to Abuse"
The Companion Animal Rescue Association claimed, "The dog was found with no fat or muscle, and had severe heart failure and organ damage." However, Gumi City stated that, according to advice from the local veterinary association, "The dog had renal failure, not heart failure, and its health condition had deteriorated due to chronic renal failure from the time of rescue."
The city explained, "It is highly likely that pain from renal failure and extreme stress during capture and transport worsened the illness and led to death," adding, "Blood test results showed high kidney values, and the X-ray examination showed no abnormalities in the heart or other organs."
"Strict Implementation of Stray Animal Protection"
"Promotion of Companion Animal Culture Park" Gumi City stated, "We protect and manage stray animals in accordance with the Animal Protection Act and center operation guidelines, and there was no starvation or abuse of the dog in question," adding, "We will continue to thoroughly carry out our duties to protect stray animals."
The city also added, "We plan to invest 9.59 billion won by 2026 to establish a Companion Animal Culture Park, and will expand companion animal festivals such as 'Petcance' and 'Dongrakeuro Osigae' to create an urban environment where citizens and companion animals can coexist."
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