A Pet Cat Owner with 14 Cats Accused of 'Abandoning Animals'... Police Investigate 20s Male for False Report

Intention to Abandon 'Abandonment' vs 'False Report' Since It Was Reported

If Abandonment, Fine Up to 3 Million KRW; False Report, Fine Up to 600,000 KRW

Adult Cats Face Euthanasia... 14 Cats Are Under Indefinite 'Protection'

14 cats reported as abandoned animals and currently at the animal shelter. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A man in his 20s who falsely reported 14 cats he was raising as "abandoned animals" is now under police investigation.

According to Busanjin Police Station on the 15th, Mr. A reported to the district office that a tenant in an apartment in Busanjin-gu had abandoned 14 cats and moved out.

Mr. A denied this, claiming he was the landlord and that the tenant had abandoned the cats.

The initial reporter, Mr. A, pretended to be the landlord and falsely reported that the cats had been abandoned by the owner, hoping the cats would be treated as abandoned animals.

The district office immediately filed a complaint with the police against the "tenant" on charges of animal abandonment.

Police investigation revealed that the tenant and the initial reporter were the same person. Mr. A pretended to be the landlord and falsely reported the discovery of abandoned animals.

It is known that Mr. A stated, "I lacked the ability to raise them and tried to find a way through adoption procedures but failed, so I made a false report."

The police received the complaint from Busanjin District Office on the 9th for violation of the Animal Protection Act and are conducting an investigation.

Since Mr. A was unable to care for the cats, he sought a way to dispose of them and falsely reported to have them rescued.

He exploited the fact that animal shelters rescue abandoned animals free of charge.

The police are carefully reviewing the legal aspects to determine whether to treat Mr. A’s actions as abandonment or false reporting.

Since Mr. A reported to the district office, it is considered that abandonment charges do not apply, and the focus is on false reporting under the Minor Offenses Act.

Animal abandonment carries a fine of up to 3 million KRW, while false reporting is subject to a fine of up to 600,000 KRW.

However, animal protection groups argue that the false report itself should be regarded as an act of abandonment.

They believe that people intending to abandon cats will all make false reports to the district office to avoid abandonment charges and only pay fines.

The cats moved to the animal protection center are adult cats, making adoption practically impossible, and euthanasia is highly likely.

Kittens among the rescued animals have a chance of adoption and are sent to adoption centers.

The 14 cats, abandoned after living with humans as companions, are now receiving indefinite "protection" at the animal shelter.

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