▲ An abused animal recently placed in emergency quarantine in Gwangju
As a series of animal abuse cases have recently occurred across the country, calls are growing to improve on-site response systems and measures to prevent recurrence.
According to the animal protection group Life on Sunday, June 14, two abused pet dogs were recently rescued from a home in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and transferred to an animal hospital.
One of the rescued dogs, a Shih Tzu, had previously had one eye removed due to past abuse and was reportedly bleeding after being beaten again.
Life explained that a hospital examination revealed the dog's remaining eye was also damaged, causing it to lose its sight, and it was diagnosed with severe anemia and leg edema.
Life has taken over ownership of the dogs and is currently caring for them, with plans to file charges regarding the abuse.
Earlier on June 3, a man was spotted dragging a dog, presumed to be his pet, along a roadside in Seo-gu, Gwangju, and beating it multiple times with a tree branch.
Upon receiving the report, police booked the man on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act and are investigating, while the abused animal has been placed in emergency quarantine.
Following consultations, the Gwangju Seo-gu District Office and Life obtained a waiver of ownership from the owner on June 12, and the animal is scheduled to be handed over to the protection group.
Life pointed out that these incidents have exposed gaps in the animal abuse response system between the police and local governments.
"At the scene of abuse, collaboration between the police and local governments, such as sharing information and securing evidence, can be difficult," Life said. "A system is needed where investigative and administrative agencies can respond together immediately when an incident occurs."
"To legally prove the intent of animal abuse, professional veterinary diagnostic data on the victim animal at the early stage of the incident is essential," the group added. "We need to consider granting police the authority to urgently quarantine abused animals, as seen in overseas cases."
The government plans to revise relevant laws to strengthen animal abuse prevention measures and establish an appropriate punishment system for abuse crimes.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) plans to tighten the requirements for returning animals to abusers under the "3rd Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025–2029)" and strengthen inspections on whether breeding plans are implemented upon return.
Under the current Animal Protection Act, owners of abused animals must pay protection costs to local governments to have their animals returned. If they fail to do so or do not submit a breeding plan, ownership of the animal is transferred to the local government.
However, because animals are classified as property under current law, concerns have been raised that if an abuse suspect is acquitted, local government measures to restrict ownership could lead to legal disputes.
MAFRA is also pushing to introduce an animal ownership ban, aiming for implementation in 2027.
The ownership ban is a system that restricts individuals convicted of serious animal abuse crimes from raising animals for a certain period.
It is currently in effect in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Last year, MAFRA gathered opinions through a consultative body involving animal protection groups and legal experts, as well as National Assembly forums. It has drafted a bill after consulting with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Justice and local governments.
Relevant bills have been proposed and are currently pending in the National Assembly.
"We plan to push for the introduction of the system through consultations with relevant ministries and legislative procedures," a MAFRA official said. "As this is a new system, we are carefully reviewing the situation on the ground and implementation plans."
In addition, MAFRA plans to form a consultative body involving local governments, the National Police Agency, and animal protection groups to establish a cooperation system for sharing abuse-related data and conducting joint investigations, enabling a swift response when serious animal abuse cases occur.
To scientifically determine whether animal abuse has occurred, the ministry also plans to expand the designation and operation of local veterinary forensic examination institutions, standardize the veterinary forensic examination system, and train professional personnel.
(Photo: Animal protection group Life's Instagram capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.