Why Are Animal Rights Groups Furious Over Hyungwook Kang's Comments on the "Pasha Incident"?

CARE: "Words That Kill the Dog Twice"

The animal rights organization "CARE" has criticized trainer Kang Hyungwook's comments regarding the so-called "Pasha incident," in which the companion dog Pasha died after being tethered to a moving bicycle. Trainer Kang has also issued a statement on the matter.

On October 23, CARE posted a lengthy message on its official account, beginning with, "Are you trying to say it's not abuse just because there was no intent to kill? Is it that you cannot distinguish between an accident, a mistake, and abuse?"

Trainer Kang Hyungwook Live Broadcast

The organization had also criticized Kang Hyungwook on October 20, stating, "Trainer Kang Hyungwook brings up the sport of 'bikejoring,' making it sound as if the Pasha incident was simply an accident during training."

CARE continued, "There is a term called 'involuntary manslaughter.' The law punishes involuntary manslaughter when it comes to people, but there is still no law punishing involuntary manslaughter concerning animals. The law determines punishment based on intent, but animal rights do not rely on intent as a standard," adding, "If there is a result of suffering, it should be defined as violence. Kang Hyungwook's simple statement is a very serious remark that could allow abusers to evade punishment."

Previously, on October 18, Kang Hyungwook held a live broadcast titled "*Emergency Broadcast* Turned On the Camera Suddenly Due to Distressing News," where he mentioned the "Pasha incident." The case involved a dog owner in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, who caused the death of his companion dog Pasha by tethering the dog to an electric bicycle and riding it. Reportedly, Mr. A used a training collar and traveled at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour for about 30 minutes.

Hyungwook Kang, Trainer. Channel A

At the time, citizens found the injured Pasha and intervened to stop Mr. A, but Pasha ultimately died. Subsequently, the police discovered additional evidence of abuse by Mr. A and applied for an arrest warrant.

During the live broadcast, Kang Hyungwook said, "I felt sorry about everything after seeing the Pasha incident. I wonder if that person really wanted to abuse or kill Pasha when he took the dog out," adding, "He should be punished, but I don't want to believe that he intended to kill Pasha."

In response, CARE stated, "Pasha died as a result of actions, not human intent. The abuser's past behavior suggests that Pasha's death was not an 'accident' but a foreseeable outcome. It was not surprising that Pasha died at any time," and continued, "If people consume such incidents as gossip without understanding the Animal Protection Act, seriously considering animal suffering, or even grasping the substantive truth of the case, then regardless of intent, that is violence toward animals."

Later, on October 20, Kang Hyungwook posted a pinned comment saying, "Pasha died after being dragged by a bicycle, and it was an abuse case reported by many news outlets. I also believe that Pasha sadly died as a result of abuse. I think such incidents should never happen again."

He added, "I know there are animal organizations working to prevent another Pasha, and I support them. I also thought I was sharing that intention in my own way, but perhaps that was not fully conveyed in the uploaded video," and continued, "I believe it is people who protect companion animals and all other animals. I do not think only people are special and therefore can protect them, but I believe that both abuse and protection are carried out by people."

He concluded, "I believe our goal is the same. I thank everyone for their dedication and hard work, and I will be even more careful with my future statements."