▲ Dog abuse in Gwangju
A dog that sparked public outrage after a video surfaced online showing it being beaten with a tree branch by its owner has been rescued by an animal protection group.
According to the animal rights group 'LIFE' on Monday (June 15), the dog is being donated to the organization via Gwangju's Seo-gu District Office after the owner relinquished ownership.
The incident occurred on June 3 in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, where the dog was seen being forcibly dragged and struck with a tree branch by its owner, identified as a 43-year-old surnamed A.
The video captured the owner pulling the leash to drag the dog as it resisted and refused to move, and striking it multiple times with a tree branch held in his hand.
The footage was made public after being reported to the animal rights group LIFE. Upon receiving the report, the police tracked down the owner and booked him on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.
During police questioning, the owner stated that he used force to drag the dog because it would not listen to him.
Following the incident, the local government, Seo-gu District Office, separated the dog from the owner in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.
A veterinary examination revealed that while there were no major external injuries, the dog had significant bruising on its back.
Considering the risk of further abuse, the Seo-gu District Office urged the owner to relinquish ownership. The owner accepted the request, and the transfer process was initiated.
The Seo-gu District Office, having received ownership, plans to donate the dog to the animal rights group.
The organization plans to provide temporary care, medical treatment, and health recovery support for the dog, and will seek a new adoptive home once its condition improves.
(Photo: Captured from video released by animal rights group LIFE, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.