Elderly Couple Arrested for Burying Their Old and Sick Pet Dog Alive Underground

A pet dog rescued after being buried underground. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A couple who buried their pet dog alive underground has been arrested by the police.

Busan Northern Police Station announced on the 5th that they have booked and are investigating the couple, A (64) and B (61), on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act.

The couple A is suspected of burying their living pet dog underground in a vacant lot in Gupo-dong, Buk-gu, Busan, around 11 p.m. on the 26th of last month.

The pet dog was a female Pekingese, and a nearby resident reported hearing the dog continuously barking from underground, leading to its rescue; however, it is known to have died two days later.

At the time of discovery, only its back was visible, with its face and legs buried underground, unable to breathe properly, and it was reported to be in a severely exhausted state.

Upon receiving the report, Buk-gu, Busan, is known to have requested an investigation from the Busan Northern Police Station on the 2nd to find the person who buried the dog alive.

The police were unable to secure CCTV footage capturing the crime scene, but through inquiries, they obtained tips that the couple A was seen moving the dog in a black bag, and after tracking, they arrested them.

During the police investigation, the couple A reportedly stated that the dog was old and sick, but they had no money to treat it or to euthanize it, so they buried it underground.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.