Suncheon-si Strengthens Preventive Management Following Stray Animal Accident Occurrence

Installation of CCTV in City-Run Shelters and Promotion of Improvements in Housing Spaces and Operations

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City announced on the 29th that it will strengthen the protection and management of abandoned animals to prevent the recurrence of incidents such as accidents involving abandoned dogs at the city-run abandoned animal shelter and illegal acts such as the euthanasia of abandoned dogs at animal hospitals causing suffering.

Suncheon City plans to secure a budget to improve and expand the accommodation space to disperse animals in order to prevent accidental deaths caused by other animals within the shelter. Additionally, CCTV will be installed to continuously monitor and identify aggressive animals for separation and other measures.

Furthermore, since the animal protection management system currently classifies causes of death only as euthanasia or natural death, the city has proposed to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency to diversify the system by adding categories such as accidental death. This is to prevent misunderstandings by owners, as recent deaths caused by other animals in the shelter were classified as natural deaths in the management system.

Along with this, Suncheon City plans to strengthen education to secure the expertise of abandoned animal protection officers and gradually increase personnel. Volunteer activities by animal protection organizations, which had been suspended due to complaints, will also be resumed within appropriate limits by establishing activity guidelines. The city will also enhance reservation visits for prospective adopters and promote adoption.

To strengthen supervision of the humane treatment (euthanasia) of abandoned animals at animal hospitals, including whether anesthetics are administered, the city will have not only the responsible staff but also honorary animal protection monitors attend the procedures. Additionally, to prevent illegal acts related to abandoned animals at animal hospitals and the vicious cycle of illegal trading and abandonment in traditional markets, the city plans to intensify guidance and crackdowns.

The ongoing stray cat neutering project and neutering project for pets of vulnerable groups will be expanded to include animal registration and neutering projects for rural yard dogs.

Moreover, to provide advisory roles on the protection of companion and abandoned animals, prevention of abuse, and animal welfare, the city will form and operate a Companion and Abandoned Animal Protection Committee consisting of up to 10 members, including city council members, related experts, and organization representatives.

A Suncheon City official stated, “Despite the difficult process of site selection, the city-run abandoned animal shelter has improved many aspects such as facility environment so far. Although we have made multifaceted efforts, including promoting the construction of a ‘Companion Animal Culture Center’ to foster companion animal culture and related industries, it is regrettable that such an unfortunate incident occurred.” He added, “We will continue to improve any shortcomings and strive harder for the establishment of a proper companion animal culture and animal protection.”

He continued, “We ask citizens to take greater interest in animal registration, attaching identification tags, and safety measures such as leashes to prevent the occurrence of abandoned animals. We also encourage active use of the animal protection management system and abandoned animal shelters for adoption.”

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