"Isn't an Animal a Life?" Outrage Over Driver Who Hit and Left a Puppy Dead

"Anyway, a Dog Without an Owner"
Animal Freedom Coalition's 'Call for Severe Punishment' Petition
Experts: "Animal Abuse Is a Serious Crime Subject to Criminal Punishment"

On the 5th, a Starex vehicle driving straight toward four dogs in an alley in Masanhwoewon-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. / Photo by Animal Freedom Coalition

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A driver who ran over a dog crossing the road and drove away reportedly made remarks such as "Why make a fuss over one stray dog dying," sparking public outrage.

Although awareness of animal rights has increased compared to the past, criticism is pouring in as it has been revealed that behaviors that disregard animal life are still widespread in some quarters. Experts emphasize the need for social recognition that acts of animal abuse are serious crimes.

At around 6 p.m. on the 5th, an incident occurred in an alley in Masanhwoin-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, where a Starex vehicle ran over four dogs. According to a video reported by a resident who cared for the dogs, the Starex vehicle passing through a narrow road encountered four dogs in the front alley but continued straight without stopping.

The informant tried to stop the vehicle by knocking on it, but the driver just passed by. As the vehicle approached, three dogs barely escaped, but one dog failed to avoid the vehicle and was caught under the wheel, dying on the spot.

The stray dog involved in the accident was part of a stray dog family consisting of a father dog, a mother dog, and three puppies, and was reportedly living under the care of neighborhood residents.

According to Animal Freedom Coalition, the driver showed no remorse for the dog's death, making remarks such as "Why make a fuss over one stray dog dying?" and "Since it's a dog without an owner anyway, it's okay to report it," and even scolded the resident who reported the accident.

Animal Freedom Coalition has filed a complaint against the driver with the police and is conducting a citizen petition campaign urging thorough investigation and strict punishment of the driver.

A video of a vehicle driving in Haeundae, Busan last February with a cat wearing a collar placed on the hood./Photo by Yonhap News

As this incident became known, citizens expressed great outrage. Kim, a 20-something office worker who said they own a pet dog, said, "The dog did not suddenly run out, and there was no situation where the driver could not see the dog, yet the driver ran over the dog and drove away," adding, "Is life not precious just because there is no owner? I think that shameless driver must be punished."

Netizens who watched the video also expressed anger with comments such as "Tears burst out as soon as I saw the child writhing in pain after being run over by the wheel," "If the vehicle had entered slowly even for just 5 seconds, it could have been avoided," and "Disregard for life must be punished."

Although the number of people raising companion animals is steadily increasing and animals have become closer to people's daily lives, there are criticisms that awareness of respecting animal life is still lacking.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of households raising companion animals in Korea is steadily increasing. As of 2019, it is estimated that 5.91 million households, or 26.4% of all households, have companion animals. This means that one in four households owns a companion animal.

However, as the number of people raising companion animals increases, cases of animal abandonment are also increasing. According to the Animal Protection Management System managed by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 128,678 animals were lost or abandoned last year. This is a decrease of 4,827 animals (3.6%) from 133,505 in 2019, but still a significant number.

The number of lost and abandoned animals has steadily increased from 88,557 in 2016 to 100,840 in 2017 and 118,719 in 2018.

A dog traffic accident occurred on the 5th in an alley in Masanhwoewon-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. One dog was hit by a vehicle and died on the spot, and a family dog ran over and could not leave the place. A resident who saw this is stomping in surprise. Photo by Animal Freedom Coalition

Incidents of animal abuse continue to occur across the country. This year alone, there have been cases such as placing a cat on top of a vehicle and driving it around under the pretext of exercising the cat, and cruelly killing stray cats and posting photos of the act online, causing controversy.

As a result, voices criticizing the social perception that does not value animal life and does not regard animal abuse as a serious crime are growing louder.

Experts emphasize that acts of animal abuse are serious crimes punishable by criminal penalties.

Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Union, said, "The perpetrator does not even reflect on the crime committed and shows an attitude like 'It's just a stray dog, so paying a small fine is enough.' He even threatened and intimidated the reporter," adding, "It is a shocking case in that the perpetrator justifies their actions and takes animal abuse for granted."

He continued, "Even if it is a stray dog without an owner, capturing it for sale or killing, or abusing it is a crime punishable by criminal law," and emphasized, "This incident shows that the consciousness that animals can still be exploited, oppressed, and even killed remains. Animals are no longer objects but beings living together with humans. Strict punishment of the perpetrator is necessary as a social warning."

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