Moved Out, Leaving 21 Dogs Behind as Their Numbers Increased
Owner Sentenced to Suspended Prison Term for Animal Abandonment
Court Notes Lack of Remorse, But Considers Later Admission of Guilt
A man in his 40s was sentenced to a suspended prison term for leaving behind 21 dogs at his home and moving out because he could not handle the increasing number of pets.
On the 9th, Judge Kim Bora of the Criminal Division 13 at the Seoul Northern District Court sentenced Mr. A (44), who was indicted on February 2 for violating the Animal Protection Act, to six months in prison with a two-year suspension, a fine of 1 million won, and ordered 80 hours of community service.
Mr. A is accused of leaving 21 dogs at his residence on February 24 last year and moving to another place. The dogs were left unattended for five days until police officers arrived following a 112 emergency call on the 29th of the same month. Because the owner left without feeding them, three of the dogs died, and the other dogs even ate the corpses.
Mr. A had been raising one pair of dogs at his residence since 2020, but as the dogs continued to breed and the number increased to 21, he felt burdened by the cost of food and waste disposal, which led to the crime.
The court stated, "Despite abandoning the dogs he was raising, causing three to die and abandoning the rest, he showed no remorse during the investigation, demonstrating a poor attitude. However, considering that he has now admitted to all charges and is showing remorse, the sentence is determined accordingly."
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