"Leashed Off and Running Wild"... Pets Left Behind in the Wildfire

WeAct Rescues Dogs from Gyeongbuk Wildfire Site
"All Lives Deserve Respect"

A wildfire that started in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, has been spreading for five days, and pets tied with leashes are unable to evacuate from the flames, resulting in deaths and injuries.

On the 23rd, a dog tied with a leash was found at the wildfire damage site in Sancheong, Gyeongbuk. WiAct Instagram

On the 26th, the animal protection group 'WeAct' shared images on social media (SNS) of dogs rescued from a village in Sancheong, Gyeongnam Province, which was affected by the wildfire on the 23rd.

The group stated, "We began searching from the wildfire ignition point and went to nearby shelters to check with residents if there were any animals that had not been evacuated," adding, "During the search, we found a child who could not escape the flames. The child was curled up in a small rubber house amid ruins where both the house and fields had burned down."

The discovered dog was tied with a leash. WeAct said, "The original owner said in the urgent situation, 'I could not bring myself to untie the leash. Please take good care of him.' Charred coal pieces crumbled from the metal leash. We took the child in our arms and transported him to the hospital."

WeAct also found another dog tied with a leash at a different fire site. The group said, "We heard faint sounds and moved into the mountains. The path was already blocked by fallen trees, and electrical wires on a utility pole halfway up the mountain were sparking as they burned. It was impossible to approach on foot, so we crawled along the path."

WeAct continued, "Through the thick smoke, a frightened child appeared. As the electrical wires melted and sparks flew, we untied the leash tied to the ground, held the child, and ran down frantically."

WeAct said, "Although there are people trying hard to protect their pets like family even in urgent disaster situations, it is very bitter that pets cannot accompany their owners during emergency evacuations," adding, "We hope for a world where all lives are respected and protected."

In large wildfires and other disaster situations, animals tied with leashes or trapped in barns repeatedly fail to escape and die. The animal rights group KARA also reported rescuing 24 animals, including dogs tied with leashes and left unattended, at the wildfire site in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province.

Earlier, on the 24th, the animal behavior group KARA stated, "We rescued cats with severe facial burns, pregnant mother dogs tied with leashes exposed to the flames, dogs burned by the fire or severely burned on their necks by heated metal leashes, and puppies helplessly left in front of the flames," adding, "We also found dogs and chickens charred to death in cages. This site confirmed that rescue activities for animals remain a blind spot in ongoing emergency disaster situations."

Kim Bok-hee, CEO of Korean Dogs, said, "No one disputes that human safety is the top priority during disasters," emphasizing, "However, since the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the 'Disaster Response Guidelines for Pet Families' in 2022, efforts to comply with these guidelines are urgently needed."