'Abuse of Stray Cats at Dongmyo' Merchant Referred Without Prosecution...Netizens Frustrated Over Low Awareness of Animal Rights

Dongmyo Market Cat Abuse Case 'No Charges'
Animal Rights Group "All Abusers Say 'There Was No Intent'"

The police recently forwarded the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for non-prosecution regarding the incident in which merchants at Dongmyo Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, were accused of abusing stray cats. Photo by SNS capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the police concluded that there was "no abuse" in the case of stray cat abuse that occurred at Dongmyo Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, voices of criticism from citizens are growing. The act of pulling the cat with a leash and a metal rod itself is pointed out as abuse.

Animal rights organizations stated that if unnecessary physical pain is inflicted on an animal, that act alone constitutes animal abuse.

According to Yonhap News on the 19th, the police sent two people, including a Dongmyo Market merchant Mr. A, who were under investigation for violating the Animal Protection Act, to the prosecution on the 18th with a non-prosecution opinion.

The police analyzed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, testimonies from surrounding merchants, and an autopsy by an animal expert to examine whether Mr. A abused the cat, and judged that it was difficult to see that Mr. A abused the cat.

However, citizens claim that "the process of driving the cat away was violent" and are voicing criticism.

Office worker Lee (27) said, "Stray cats run away even at the sound of a footstep 'thump.' But this merchant put a noose around the cat's neck and dragged it around," adding, "What crime did a voiceless animal commit? It was an excessive measure."

Another office worker Kim (28) also said, "I understand feeling uncomfortable because a stray cat entered their store, but I still think the process itself was violent," adding, "Would they have driven it away like that if the cat were a person? I think awareness of animal rights in our country is still low."

Meanwhile, netizens are also pointing out through comments on related articles that the Dongmyo Market merchant's actions were "excessive."

One netizen said, "Stray cats are scared of people and run away at even small sounds. Did they really have to threaten it with a leash and a rod?" adding, "If it wasn't a threat, would there be wounds and abrasions in the cat's mouth? It's absurd. There is clear intent."

Another netizen also said, "Whether it was abuse or not, the fact remains that they treated the cat carelessly," adding, "They tied it with a leash and dragged it outside, and stepped on it to put it in a box."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture.

Earlier, this controversy arose when a petition was posted on the Blue House's National Petition Board in June, claiming that a merchant at Dongmyo Market abused a stray cat.

The petitioner pointed out, "A pregnant cat was tied up and thrown and strangled just because it entered the store," adding, "It is questionable whether humanity can be found in such behavior." Although the claim that the cat was pregnant was not true, the petition ended with 117,189 supporters.

The merchant accused at the time claimed, "I used tools because I was scared of the agitated cat."

Regarding this, Animal Rights Action Kara pointed out that under the Animal Protection Act, abusive acts are judged solely by the "act" regardless of intent.

A Kara official said, "Under the Animal Protection Act, inflicting unnecessary physical pain on an animal or causing injury to an animal without justifiable reason is considered animal abuse by the act itself," adding, "In particular, there is even a hospital diagnosis regarding the injury inflicted on the cat. Despite submitting such evidence, it was not accepted."

They continued, "The (Dongmyo merchants') actions were abusive acts. All abusers say 'there was no intent,'" emphasizing, "We will continue to respond regarding this case."

Meanwhile, the cat rescued from Cheonggyecheon was moved to a nearby animal hospital, received two weeks of treatment for abrasions, bruises, and oral bleeding, and is currently recovering health while waiting for adoption at an adoption cafe in Seoul.

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