Pet Dog Severely Injured Undergoes Enucleation Surgery
"Once Gentle Victim Dog Now Wary of People After Incident"
Over 40,000 Signatures Collected for Petition Demanding Severe Punishment
In Geoje, Gyeongnam, a dog that barely survived after being struck by hundreds of BB gun pellets fired by three men, including an active-duty Marine, ultimately underwent enucleation surgery.
On July 2, the animal protection group Beagle Rescue Network announced via social media, "Maehwa (the name of the injured dog) has ultimately undergone enucleation surgery." The organization explained, "Maehwa, who survived, is now covered in wounds. We attempted to save her eye, which was directly hit by a BB gun pellet, by administering anesthesia and treatment four times, but she was left blind and ultimately had to have her eye removed."
The group added, "Maehwa, who used to be very affectionate and unusually gentle, is now suffering from severe trauma after the BB gun incident. She has become wary of people, barks at them, and even bites her owner." They also stated, "The dog's owner is experiencing such a profound sense of loss and shock that it is difficult even to offer words of comfort, and is struggling with pain and challenges in daily life."
This incident occurred on June 8 at a restaurant in Geoje, Gyeongnam. At around 1:15 a.m., three men in their twenties?including two active-duty Marines on leave?fired hundreds of BB gun pellets at four dogs tied up in the restaurant's yard. As a result, two dogs, including Maehwa, were seriously injured, and one died despite receiving treatment.
Men entering the yard of a restaurant in Geoje City, Gyeongnam, aiming BB guns. Screenshot from the Beagle Rescue Network cafe video.
The perpetrators were friends: two were active-duty soldiers, and one was a civilian. Police referred the two soldiers' cases to the military authorities, while the civilian was booked on charges including violation of the Animal Protection Act, trespassing, and property damage.
The incident sparked public outrage, and more than 40,000 people reportedly signed a petition calling for severe punishment for the perpetrators.
The Beagle Rescue Network emphasized, "Even though we have collected more than 40,000 petitions, we cannot stop. We cannot forgive the perpetrators, who continue to lie and make excuses." They appealed, "Please join us in ensuring that the perpetrators receive the full force of the law on behalf of Somsomi, who died in fear and pain, and Maehwa, who lost her eye without understanding why."
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